From the Courtyard to the Garden

Transforming your backyard or garden into a productive and nourishing ecosystem is the goal of this essential guide!
Do you dream of transforming your backyard into a little green paradise where you can harvest your own fruits and vegetables? Do you want to free yourself from that overly uniform lawn to increase biodiversity on your property? Do you want to get your hands dirty to participate in the collective effort against global warming? Whether you live in the city, the suburbs, or the countryside, this practical guide will guide you step by step to create your outdoor space into ecological and edible green islands. But where do you start? How do you plan your project? Whether you are a beginner or experienced gardener, this book will show you how to:
carefully observe the characteristics of your land: identification of plants, sunshine, topography of the site, composition of the soil, water sources, prevailing winds;
equip you and supply you with raw materials: essential tools, protective equipment, organic and mineral materials;
choose your plants: fruit trees and shrubs, perennials, annuals, climbers and ground covers, hardiness zones, purchase and exchange of plants;
design your layout: determine the varieties of plants suited to your land, establish a list of preferences, position them on a plan;
carry out the work: define the contours of the planting islands, remove the existing turf, install a border;
install an irrigation system: calculate water flow, plan irrigation zoning, choose drippers, build a rainwater collector;
maintain your land: manage the remaining lawn, amend the plantings, prune the trees, winterize the plants, clean the flowerbeds.
A veritable treasure trove of information, this guide focuses on planting trees, fruit shrubs, and perennials to create a landscape that's easy to maintain and as inexpensive as possible. The goal is to create an ecological garden that's resilient to climate change, in addition to achieving a degree of food self-sufficiency. After a few years, you'll see that your efforts will be amply rewarded, and that your garden will delight both your taste buds and your eyes!