Nettles and Petals

A compelling call to change the way we think about gardening and growing food, Nettles & Petals by ecological horticulturist and social media sensation Jamie Walton is the only guide you need to make your garden more sustainable.
Full of inviting imagery and essential information, this accessible guide provides a holistic and ecological approach to gardening and vegetable growing. With a focus on biodiversity, soil health, and the creation of balanced ecosystems, Nettles & Petals is a must-read for any budding gardener.
Join Jamie and the @NettlesAndPetals community on their mission to save the wild plants we often attempt to eradicate from our gardens and learn how to begin growing them in your spaces in a practical way.
Dig into must-know topics including:

• Companion planting
• The wonders of nettles and other weeds
• The importance of flowers in the vegetable garden
• Circular and ecological garden planning
• Growing guides for Jamie’s ‘top 30’ vegetables
• Seed saving and sowing
• Urban and small-scale sustainable gardening
• Harvesting, preserving, and sharing produce

An ideal self-purchase or a gift for the green enthusiast in your life, Nettles & Petals is perfect for anyone curious about gardening sustainably.

INTRODUCTION 
CHAPTER ONE: NATURE'S GREENPRINT 

• Introduction to Growing Vegetables 
• The Key Principles I Follow 
• Rediscovering Indigenous Growing Practices 
• Embracing and Increasing Biodiversity
• Why Grow Our Own Food? 

CHAPTER TWO: CIRCULAR GARDEN DESIGN  

• A Guide to Planning an Ecological Garden 
• The Wisdom of Woodlands Mimicked within the Garden 
• Edible Perennial Plants for a Resilient Vegetable Garden 
• Incorporating Companion Planting into Our Planting Plan 
• The Benefits of Polyculture Growing 
• Embrace Edi-mental Gardening 

CHAPTER THREE: SOIL HEALTH   

• The Living Ecosystem Beneath Our Feet
• Functions of Healthy Soil 
• The Severity of Soil Degradation  
• Quick and Easy Methods to Assess Your Garden Soil  
• Minimal Disturbance Gardening 
• Methods used to Minimise Disturbance 
• Implementing No-Dig / Minimal Disturbance Gardening
• Guide to Creating Compost 
• My Guide to Creating a 3-Bay Compost System
• Creating Natural Plant Fertilisers
• Potential Problems with Liquid Fertilisers

 
CHAPTER FOUR: THE WONDER OF WEEDS   

• The Role of Pioneering Weeds
• Reading the Signs 
• Welcome Weeds 
• Unwelcome Weeds 
• 'When in Doubt, Use Nettles'  

CHAPTER FIVE: SEED TO ROOT, SHOOT AND FRUIT  

• Key Principles 
• Start Here: 5 
• Veg Growing Guide
  
  NIGHTSHADE FAMILY
  Tomatoes
  Chillis
  Aubergines  ALLIUM FAMILY
  Onion
  Garlics
  Leeks 
  
  SALAD LEAVES
  Lettuce
  Spinach
  Rocket
  Mustard
  Swiss Chard 
  
  BRASSICAS 
  Cabbage
  Broccoli
  Cauliflower
  Brussels sprouts
  Kale 
  Kohlrabi 
  
  LEGUMES
  Peas
  Beans
  Green Beans
  Broad Beans 
  
  CUCURBITS
  Cucumbers
  Courgette
  Pumpkin
  Melon and Cantaloupe
  Squash 
  
  ROOT VEGETABLES
  Carrot
  Beetroot
  Radishes
  Parsnips
  Potatoes 
  
  MISCELLANEOUS VEGETABLES
  Sweetcorn
  Asparagus
  Celery
  
  THE POWER OF HERBS
  Hardy Herbs: Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Oregano
  Tender Herbs: Basil, Coriander, Parsley, Dill
  

CHAPTER SIX: FLOWER POWER

• Pollinator Magnetism
• Let them Bolt 
• Pest Management Allies
• Soil Health Booster
• Culinary Companions 
• Therapeutic Benefits

CHAPTER SEVEN: PESTS AND DISEASES 

• Prevention is Better than a Chemical “cure”  
• Proactive Pest Management 
• IPM (Aphids) 
• Slugs and Snails 
• Power of Herbs for Natural Pest Control 
• Create a Mini Wildlife Pond in a Barrel 
• Create a Wildlife Mansion 
• Creating Beneficial Beetle Banks and Log Piles

 CHAPTER EIGHT: URBAN AND SMALL SCALE SUSTAINABLE GARDENING 

• Challenges 
• Opportunities 
• Practical Tips 
• Creating a DIY Home Worm Farm 
• Create Compost in a Small Space Using Bokashi 

CHAPTER NINE: HARVESTING PRESERVING, AND SHARING

• Timing is Everything 
• Canning, Freezing, Drying, Fermenting 
• Why Grow Heirloom? 
• Simple Seed Saving
• Sharing Surplus Produce 

CONCLUSION 
ENDMATTER