An authoritative handbook focused on the important practice of ecological gardening, a modern and increasingly popular approach that treats the garden as the living ecosystem it is. Essential Guide to Ecological Gardening, from The American Horticultural Society, shares insight on the many ways gardeners can embrace nature for a healthier, more vibrant home landscape. True ecological gardening goes far beyond the battle cry of "Leave the leaves!" spread across social media every autumn. It is about making thoughtful decisions in your garden each and every day, knowing they impact the millions of plants and animals living there and the greater environment beyond. Becoming a responsible steward of a thriving garden ecosystem has never been more important. Some of the ecological gardening concepts you'll learn in these beautifully illustrated pages include how to: Design a garden that's both aesthetically pleasing and ecologically soundFoster a greater diversity of plants and animals through considerate gardening practicesPrevent stormwater runoff with the use of rain gardens and rain-capturing systemsReduce and replace resource-intensive lawnsMaintain your garden in a nature-friendly wayIncorporate keystone plants in your garden that support a broad diversity of lifeManage weeds and pests safelyConduct wildlife-friendly garden cleanupsFoster pollinators, soil organisms, and other wildlife by focusing on native plantsBy adopting and implementing the principles of ecological gardening, you and your garden will become part of the solution...and you'll have a beautiful, resilient garden you can feel good about. Also included in this series are Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening and Essential Guide to Perennial Gardening.