Gardening in Containers

by Ray Waite

Published 24 April 1986

Grapes

by Harry Baker and Ray Waite

Published December 1980
Popular in Victorian days when specialist greenhouses for grapes were known as vineries, the vine is now increasing in popularity again amongst amateur gardeners. Despite the inclement British weather, it is possible to grow grapes here successfully - even out of doors. A sun loving plant, the vine can be grown in the open in the southern part of the British Isles. Elsewhere, in areas of high summer rainfall, strong winds, or where the climate is cool during the growing season, vines should be cultivated under glass - the ideal structure for grapes being a lean-to greenhouse facing south. This new edition of the popular Wisley Handbook, now with full colour throughout and in the new Wisley format, covers all aspects of viticulture for the amateur gardener.

This guide is aimed at both the gardener looking for features and points of interest to liven up a dull terrace or an open lawn and at the gardener whose space and resources are much more limited. Ornamental containers, carefully chosen for shape, size and colour, and equally carefully planted, can even make a garden where none exists at all - on paths, steps, balconies, in hanging baskets, window boxes and decorated wheelbarrows parked by the front door. In this practical and illustrated handbook, the author shows how to put all sorts of containers to good use, what composts to use, how to look after and water your plantings and, of course, what to plant. Summer and winter subjects are covered along with fruit, vegetables and herbs for containers, and the plant list includes horticultural and propagating information.