The AHS Encyclopedia of Gardening Techniques

Container gardening involves growing plants in containers rather than directly in the ground. This technique is ideal for individuals with limited outdoor space or poor soil quality. 

It offers versatility in plant selection, allowing gardeners to cultivate a wide range of flowers, herbs, vegetables, and even small trees in pots, hanging baskets, or other containers. 

Proper container selection, drainage, and regular watering are essential for successful container gardening.

Edible landscaping integrates food-producing plants into traditional landscape designs, creating aesthetically pleasing yet functional outdoor spaces. Fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs, and vegetables are strategically incorporated alongside ornamental plants to maximize beauty and productivity. 

Edible landscaping enhances the visual appeal of gardens and provides homeowners with a sustainable source of fresh produce.

Companion planting is the practice of growing compatible plant species to benefit each other in various ways, such as pest control, pollination, and nutrient uptake. 

Certain plants emit natural substances that repel pests or attract beneficial insects, while others fix nitrogen in the soil or provide structural support for neighboring plants. 

Companion planting can help improve crop yields, reduce the need for chemical interventions, and create balanced ecosystems within the garden.

Indoor gardening involves growing plants inside buildings, such as homes, offices, or greenhouses. It allows individuals to enjoy gardening year-round, regardless of outdoor climate conditions. 

Houseplants, herbs, microgreens, and some fruiting varieties are suitable indoor gardening plants. Proper lighting, temperature, humidity, and ventilation are crucial for successful indoor gardening.

Biodynamic gardening is a holistic approach incorporating principles of organic farming, astrology, and spirituality. It views the garden as a self-sustaining ecosystem interconnected with the larger cosmos. 

Biodynamic practitioners use specific planting calendars, herbal preparations, and composting techniques to enhance soil fertility and plant vitality. Biodynamic gardening aims to create harmony between the earth, plants, animals, and humans, resulting in healthy and balanced ecosystems.

Succession planting involves sowing new crops in the same space after the previous crop is harvested, maximizing available garden space, and extending the growing season. 

This technique ensures a continuous supply of fresh produce throughout the growing season and helps prevent soil depletion by reducing fallow periods. Proper planning and timing are essential for successful succession planting.

Permaculture is a design system that mimics natural ecosystems to create sustainable human habitats. It emphasizes observation, diversity, and integration principles to develop productive and resilient landscapes. 

Permaculture gardens incorporate food forests, swales, rainwater harvesting, and companion planting to maximize resource efficiency and minimize waste. Permaculture principles can be applied to various scales, from small backyard gardens to large-scale agricultural systems.

Hydroponics is a soil-less growing technique that involves cultivating plants in nutrient-rich water solutions instead of traditional soil. This method allows for precise control over plant nutrition, water usage, and growth conditions, resulting in faster growth rates and higher yields than conventional gardening.

Hydroponic systems can be used indoors or outdoors and are suitable for growing various crops, from leafy greens to tomatoes and strawberries.

The American Horticultural Society (AHS) provides valuable resources and guidance on gardening techniques, plant care, and landscape design.

Their expertise spans across various gardening methods, from traditional practices to innovative approaches like hydroponics and permaculture.

Conventional gardening refers to traditional practices that rely on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides to manage plant growth and pest control. 

While effective in the short term, conventional gardening methods may have negative environmental impacts, such as soil degradation, water pollution, and harm to beneficial insects and wildlife. 

However, many gardeners still use conventional techniques due to familiarity and accessibility.

Square-foot gardening is a method of intensive gardening that maximizes space by dividing the garden into small square-foot sections. Each square is planted with a specific number of plants, depending on their size and spacing requirements, resulting in efficient use of available space and minimal waste. 

Square foot gardening is particularly popular among urban gardeners and those with limited garden space.

The Mittlieder gardening method is a high-yield technique that combines conventional and organic elements. It emphasizes using raised beds, drip irrigation, and balanced nutrition to optimize plant growth and productivity.

The Mittlieder method relies on precise planting densities, regular fertilization, and meticulous soil management to produce abundant harvests in small spaces.

Aquaponics is a sustainable farming technique that combines aquaculture (fish farming) with hydroponics (soil-less plant cultivation). In aquaponic systems, fish waste provides nutrients for plants, while plants filter and purify the water for fish, creating a closed-loop ecosystem.

This method allows for efficient resource use, minimal water wastage, and simultaneous production of fish and vegetables in a controlled environment.

Straw bale gardening is a gardening technique that utilizes straw bales as plant growth containers. Bales are conditioned with water, fertilizer, and compost to create a nutrient-rich growing medium for seeds or transplants. 

This method benefits gardeners with poor soil quality or limited space, as straw bales can be placed on any flat surface, including driveways, patios, or rooftops.

Maintaining soil health is a cornerstone of successful gardening. Techniques such as mulching, cover cropping, and composting enrich soil fertility, structure, and microbial activity.

Healthy soil supports robust plant growth, improves water retention, and reduces erosion, creating a resilient foundation for sustainable gardens.