130,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Overnight NZ-wide delivery 🚀 Auckland Bookstore • Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

Grow Your Own

How to be an urban farmer
4.09 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 33 ratings, 8 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Grow Your Own by Angus Stewart and Simon Leake is an authoritative and accessible guide tailored for urban dwellers keen to cultivate their own food. The book explores specialised techniques to enhance plant growth in city settings, from soil preparation to pest management. Richly illustrated and clearly structured, it covers essential topics such as fertilisers, composting, crop selection, propagation, seed saving, and innovative urban farming methods including rooftop gardens, vertical gardens, bees, and poultry.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$4999
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for city residents and suburban gardeners who want to start growing their own food regardless of limited space or experience. It's especially useful for those interested in sustainable living, urban agriculture, and practical horticulture within home and garden contexts.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

All the expert information and techniques you need to grow your own edible plants in the city.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Urban environments require specific techniques to optimise growing conditions for plants. Two leading experts in horticulture and soil science teach the reader how to grow their own food—from the ground up—in this authoritative, accessible, generously photographed guide.

Grow Your Own provides simple step-by-step methods and information enabling the average city dweller to grow food plants at whatever scale their time and resources permit and no matter their location, be it suburban backyard or apartment balcony.

Some of the many topics covered include creating the best environment for growing (influenced by water, temperature, light, air quality), setting up the soil; fertilisers, compost and worm farms; choosing crops (annual, perennial, heirloom, modern); propagation, planting and maintenance; pest and disease management; seed saving; rooftop spaces and vertical gardens; and integrated urban farming including bees and poultry.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760522629

Publisher: Murdoch Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 October 2017

Country: Australia

Imprint: Murdoch Books

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 205.0mm

Height: 265.0mm

Weight: 1103g

Pages: 264

About the Author

Angus Stewart's groundbreaking work with Australian native plants and his regular appearances on radio and TV (Gardening Australia) have seen him emerge as Australian gardening's leading expert. He is author of several books including the bestselling Creating an Australian Garden (Allen and Unwin 2010) and, with coauthor A. B. Bishop, The Australian Native Garden (Murdoch Books. 2015).

Simon Leake is the founder of SESL Environment and Soil Science, a company offering soil science and horticultural testing and advice. While working across all soil-science related industries, Simon's particular interest is in urban soil science and organic waste management. He is author of Soils for Landscape Development. In 2016 The Australian Institute of Horticulture recognised him as Horticulturist of the Year.

Also by Angus Stewart

View all
  • Creating an Australian Garden
    Creating an Australian Garden by Angus Stewart is the culmination of decades of work in selecting and breeding Australian plants, making them more gardener-friendly. This book not only shares Angus's extensive experience as a plant breeder but also empowers readers to unlock the secrets of cleverly designed Australian gardens that provide year-round colour, vibrant foliage, and havens for wildlife. Inside...
    Paperback
    $4500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Favourite Australian Plants
    Australia's favourite gardening expert has selected the best native plants for every part of the country and soil type, from temperate coastal regions to areas with frost, and the tropical north. These are tried and tested plants easy to grow in home gardens. They include old favourites—such as grevilleas, orchids, and bottle brushes—and popular cultivars, as well as less familiar...
    Paperback
    $3699
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Futureproof Your Garden
    Welcome to your essential guide for creating healthy, sustainable, water-wise gardens and landscapes. Futureproof Your Garden is a go-to resource for anyone who wants expert advice on how to use, capture, and store water efficiently in times of drought or deluge. Angus and Emma help you to choose plants that not only suit your personal style but can adapt to...
    Paperback
    $4999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Waterwise Australian Native Garden
    Winner of the 2018 HMAA Laurel Award for best book First published as The Australian Native Garden There's never been a more crucial time to drought-proof your garden and to consider Australian native plants as a key component in your outdoor space. This award-winning practical volume, from two of the country's foremost horticultural experts, offers everything you need to know...
    Paperback
    $5500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • 500 Plants
    Out of the thousands of Australian plants worthy of garden space, here are the top 500, as edited and selected by Angus Stewart. These are the tried and tested, the popular cultivars, the ones that won't turn up their heels and die on you — and are available commercially. Over the last few decades, the native plants that had been...
    Paperback
    $3999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Let's Propagate!
    If you're a gardener who buys everything from the standard and limited nursery range, then you are missing out on one of the most satisfying of all human endeavours - propagating your own plants. Let's Propagate! is for anyone interested in hands-on propagation in Australia, either professionally or in the home garden. The book is a marvellous gardening companion for...
    Paperback
    $4500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Also by Simon Leake

View all
  • Soils for Landscape Development
    This second edition of the award-winning Soils for Landscape Development provides a globally applicable method for landscape architects and designers, specification writers, landscape contractors, nursery growers, turf specialists, and soil supply companies to properly specify landscape soils using objective and measurable criteria. It uses systematic, clear, and practical templates. The book links landscape design processes with sound modern soil science...
    Paperback
    $10500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

More from Home & Garden

View all
  • Thyme to Cook
    Free Gift
    New Release
    Thyme to Cook
    Thyme to Cook is a practical guide to growing, harvesting and cooking real food at home to nourish our bodies and minds! From successful cookery writer Emma Galloway. 'A treasure trove of a book - an approachable and very beautiful guide to growing your own food and easy and original ways to cook and eat it.' Anna Jones, author of...
    Hardback
    $4699
    Elsewhere:
    $6000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Floral Dream
    The Floral Dream is a practical and inspiring guide for New Zealand home gardeners who dream of growing their own cut flowers. Whether the reader is new to gardening or already has dirt under their nails, this book offers down-to-earth advice on how to grow beautiful blooms in the backyard. It begins with preliminary advice on garden layout, soil preparation,...
    Hardback
    $4999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • A Thousand Feasts
    THE INSTANT #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER From award-winning writer Nigel Slater, comes a new and exquisitely written collection of notes, memoir, stories and small moments of joy. 'Nigel Slater’s prose is the rarest delicacy of all: exquisite yet effortless, filled with heart, tenderness, yearning and humour' ELIZABETH DAY For years, Nigel Slater has kept notebooks of curiosities and wonderings, penned...
    Paperback
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    20% off
    Clean Magic
    With Nancy Birtwhistle, it IS easy being green. From the Great British Bake Off winner and Sunday Times bestselling author, Clean Magic is a complete guide with practical and down-to-earth advice on how to integrate Nancy’s tried and tested household tips into your daily life.From sorting stubborn stains to Basic Magic, Pure Magic Gel and big, themed clean-ups, Nancy helps...
    Hardback
    $3200
    Usually:
    $4000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    11% off
    Grow Your Groceries
    Plant-growing ideas and tricks from a leading gardening TikToker. Hacks on how to grow plants from your supermarket shop. Have you ever wondered if you could grow plants from the food you buy? Could you do something with those leftover apple pips? What about growing your own kiwi plant? And what if you could make more plants from the herb...
    Hardback
    $3200
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    12% off
    Companion Planting in NZ
    Companion Planting in NZ by Brenda Little is an essential guide for gardeners who want to cultivate a thriving and sustainable garden using natural methods. This comprehensive book explores the concept of companion planting - an age-old practice where various plants are strategically placed together to enhance growth, deter pests, and improve soil health. By aligning with nature's principles, this...
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    19% off
    The Abundant Garden
    The Abundant Garden by Niva and Yotam Kay is a treasure trove of knowledge for both seasoned and novice gardeners alike. Located on the stunning Coromandel Peninsula of Aotearoa New Zealand, the authors draw from their extensive experience at Pakaraka Permaculture to bring you a comprehensive guide on creating and maintaining a productive, regenerative vegetable garden. The book delves deep...
    Paperback
    $3500
    Elsewhere:
    $4999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • How to Keep House While Drowning
    A gentle guide to cleaning and organising when you're overwhelmed, from a licensed therapist and TikTok sensation PRE-ORDER KC'S NEXT BOOK—WHO DESERVES YOUR LOVE Simple tools to make home care easy when life is hard. When you are neurodivergent, have undiagnosed ADHD, or are struggling with your mental or physical health, keeping on top of the laundry pile and tackling...
    Paperback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Quiet Home
    'House hushing' is a new interiors trend that's making (the right kind of) noise in these troubling times. Guardian A beautiful, authoritative guide to the concept of house hushing, The Quiet Home incorporates design principles and strategies for dialling down the visual noise in your home, and creating serene interiors that promote calm and wellbeing. It takes a pared-down, thoughtful...
    Hardback
    $5200
    Elsewhere:
    $6500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    10% off
    The Edible Backyard
    The Edible Backyard by Kath Irvine is an essential companion for anyone looking to transform their garden into a flourishing, organic paradise. This comprehensive guide takes you through every step needed to grow a variety of vegetables, fruits, and herbs in your own garden, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh produce all year round. Gardening expert Kath Irvine shares insights...
    Paperback
    $3600
    Elsewhere:
    $5000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    29% off
    Feng Shui Modern
    In an increasingly cramped world, a modern guide to opening up your living space – and your life – using the ancient principles of feng shui. How do you place a bed in an awkward room? How can your space help you be more focused and more productive? How do you set up your room to make you ready for...
    Hardback
    $2500
    Usually:
    $3499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Edible Weeds Handbook
    Discover the rich world of New Zealand's wild edible plants with this comprehensive guide. In this comprehensive companion to the best-selling A Field Guide to the Native Edible Plants of New Zealand, Andrew Crowe explores the rich culinary world of Aotearoa's non-native plants - the so-called 'weeds'. From miner's lettuce to watercress, taro to acorns, this go-to, illustrated handbook offers...
    Paperback
    $2899
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.