The Garden Jungle: or Gardening to Save the Planet (Paperback)
Dave Goulson (author)- 10+ in stock

Goulson’s thoughtful and illuminating book is both an intriguing glimpse into a world of mini-beasts and creepy crawlies, and a broadside against gardeners who casually use chemicals which destroy their habitats. A hymn to the unlimited possibilities of mankind’s communion with nature, The Garden Jungle will make you think twice about the creatures living within your lawn.
The Garden Jungle is about the wildlife that lives right under our noses, in our gardens and parks, between the gaps in the pavement, and in the soil beneath our feet. Wherever you are right now, the chances are that there are worms, woodlice, centipedes, flies, silverfish, wasps, beetles, mice, shrews and much, much more, quietly living within just a few paces of you.
Dave Goulson gives us an insight into the fascinating and sometimes weird lives of these creatures, taking us burrowing into the compost heap, digging under the lawn and diving into the garden pond. He explains how our lives and ultimately the fate of humankind are inextricably intertwined with that of earwigs, bees, lacewings and hoverflies, unappreciated heroes of the natural world.
The Garden Jungle is at times an immensely serious book, exploring the environmental harm inadvertently done by gardeners who buy intensively reared plants in disposable plastic pots, sprayed with pesticides and grown in peat cut from the ground. Goulson argues that gardens could become places where we can reconnect with nature and rediscover where food comes from. With just a few small changes, our gardens could become a vast network of tiny nature reserves, where humans and wildlife can thrive together in harmony rather than conflict.
For anyone who has a garden, and cares about our planet, this book is essential reading.
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
ISBN: 9781784709914
Number of pages: 288
Weight: 202 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 17 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
'[Goulson] is master of intriguing details of a world beyond our ken... The Garden Jungle is an eye-opening book... [and Goulson's] enthusiasm is infectious. This is a man you'd just love to visit your garden and show you its invisible wonders, teach you how to nurture them.' - The Times
'This book will teach you a great deal about the creatures who live right outside your door and are waiting for you to get to know them. It is a constant revelation.' - The Sunday Times
'Like a top-notch wildlife documentary, The Garden Jungle draws us in with fascinating details of the natural world and, at the same time, delivers a wake-up call... I doubt that many will finish reading this important book without making a few changes to their gardening or way of life.' - The Church Times
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“An interesting read while we have time to be in our gardens”
With the help of this book you can discover how not all plants are bee-friendly (no matter what their labels say) and why we should be avoiding peat-based composts (and plants grown in them). Goulson is not afraid to... More
“So enjoyable”
I'm really enjoying this book. It has all sorts of interesting facts about insects, their habitats & habits, alongside the occasional recipe. It's thought provoking and is backed up by scientific... More
“A Fantastic, Inspiring must-read for any gardener or nature lover”
Fantastic, fascinating, inspiring and packed full of practical advice for the gardener and anyone else who wants to connect with nature and give bees, butterflies and biodiversity a helping hand.
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