We have a number of books and videos on Transition-related subjects that we are happy to lend. To borrow one please email library@transitionbuxton.co.uk.
| Title | Author | Year | Publisher | Synopsis |
| Pamphlet: Gardening with Beneficial Insects for natural pest control | Jill Schnabel | 1990 | HDRA | fascinating details about predators that feed on pests and why not to use pesticides (even natural ones). |
| Pamphlet: | Jill Schnabel | 1990 | HDRA | The whys, wherefores, mulching and harvesting of comfrey and how to use effectively. |
| Comfrey for Gardeners | ||||
| Communities, Councils and a Low-carbon Future. Copy 1 | Alexis Rowell | 2010 | Green Books | ‘What we can do if governments won’t’ [or only pretend they do]? Transition is grass-roots-led but needs to work with local councils. |
| Communities, Councils and a Low-carbon Future. Copy 2 | Alexis Rowell | 2010 | Green Books | ‘What we can do if governments won’t’ [or only pretend they do]? Transition is grass-roots-led but needs to work with local councils. |
| Leaflet: Getting the best from your Composter | Blackwall Ltd | Blackwall Ltd | Practical considerations and trouble-shooting for home composting products | |
| Leaflet: composting secrets | Centre for Alternative Technology | C.A.T. | Basically: compost heaps need plenty of roughage: shredded paper, crumpled cardboard as well as kitchen scraps and grass clippings | |
| The Container Expert | Dr D G Hessayon | 1995 | Expert Books | The basic advantages, disadvantages and ‘must dos’ of growing in containers. Ideal for Buxton! Clear and straightforward. |
| The Earth Care Manual… . for Britain . . . Temperate Climates | Patrick Whitehead | 2004 | Permanent Publications | Responsible choices for being part of the solution. ‘visionary and practical’ (RHS). Describes the principles of permaculture. |
| The Easy-care Gardening Expert | Dr D G Hessayon | 1996 | Expert Books | Short cuts and tips for an attractive garden for the physically-restricted or those short of time. Not for the keen organic gardener. |
| Encyclopaedia of Gardening (RHS definitive) | Jane Aspden [Managing Editor] | 1999 | Dorling Kindersley | Comprehensive practical information for amateur and professional. Useful indices and glossaries. Use with confidence. |
| The Evergreen Expert | Dr D G Hessayon | 1998 | Expert Books | Essential sound basic advice on the pitfalls and joys of choosing and caring for the wide range of plants described as evergreens. |
| The Flower Expert | Dr D G Hessayon | 1998 | Pbi publications | A ‘complete’ list of plants with lots of clear, specific details and more general advice on cultivation and propagation. |
| How to make a Forest Garden | Patrick Whitefield | 1996 | Permanent Publications | A good read even if you are not lucky enough to have a mini-forest! Lots of interesting tips on things like natural pest control. |
| Pamphlet: Friend and Foe in Garden | Joy Griffith-Jones | 1977 | The Soil Association | Alphabetical. Maintain a balance (the answer lies in the soil). Natural controls (eg nasturtium sprays). NB. The long black slug eats other slugs. |
| Future Scenarios | David Holmgren | 2009 | Green Books | A bit dated on Peak Oil (although still relevant to an intentional reduction). The prediction of a gradual decline in the old system seems to be underway? Maybe we still can choose how to adapt? |
| The Garden DIY Expert | Dr D G Hessayon | Pbi publications | Looking after the non-living parts of the garden including construction. An answer to the DIYers prayer. | |
| NEW Gardening Year | Antony Atha et al | 1968 | Readers Digest | A comprehensive month by month reference book, Not organic but a wealth of useful tips for the amateur gardener. |
| Pamphlet: Green Manures | Henry Doubleday Research Assn, | Garden Organic | What it says on the tin: a compact but comprehensive guide – worth reading for the organic / no-dig gardener | |
| The Greenhouse Expert | Dr D G Hessayon | 1994 | Expert Books | Down to earth advice for an amateur gardener starting and running a cool house or conservatory (i.e. one with some heating in Winter) |
| Leaflet: Ten things to do to help Honey Bees | British Beekeepers Association | 2009 | British Beekeepers Association | Viruses transferred by the varroa mite threaten bees. Not just bee friendly plants but other straightforward tips. |
| The Houseplant Expert | Dr D G Hessayon | 1980 | Pbi publications | The basic rules and secrets of success with houseplants. A must-read for amateur houseplant carers. |
| Knead to Know. | Richard Bertinet | 2010 | Real Bread Campaign | Invaluable if you want to get serious about bread, even as an amateur. Useful sections on courses, suppliers & media relationships. |
| The Real Bread Starter | ||||
| Leaflet: Make your own Leafmould | HDRA | HDRA | Simple, straightforward advice – Essential reading if you have leaves | |
| Local Money | Peter North | 2010 | Transition Books | The why, the vision, the how of local currency. But remember the disclaimer: this is an experiment – we don’t know whether it will work. See appendix. |
| Pamphlet: Practical Mulching | Patrick Whitefield et al | various | Permanent Publications | A number of articles re-printed from Permaculture News. Sharing experience: some useful tips |
| Pamphlet: Mulching. | HDRA | 1990 | HDRA | Biodegradable, Hortopaper, Plastic mulches, (carpets, cardboard and newspaper) |
| Step by step Organic Gardening | ||||
| Pamphlet: Organic by Design – Creating an Organic Garden | Pauline Pears et al | HDRA. The organic organisation | Compact and step-by-step guide to starting from scratch. Helpful ideas for Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. | |
| The Organic Gardener | Christine and Michael Lavelle | 2003 | Hermes House | An excellent, lucid, attractive, down-to-earth introduction and reference book suitable for a serious amateur. Includes ponds. |
| Leaflet: Growing Organic Herbs | Charlotte de la Bedoyere? | 2003 | HDRA | Clear and concise. Mainly in containers so no garden required. Instructions on the growing medium. List of herbs and their uses. |
| Pamphlet: Guidelines for Organic Gardening | Advisory Dept of HDRA. | HDRA | A compact guide to best practice, acceptable, qualified and not recommended for weed control etc etc. | |
| Organic Gardening – The natural no-dig way | Charles Dowding | 2007 | Green Books | How to get a healthy, fertile soil. Useful lists of varieties. Lots of useful tips (e.g. choose sowing dates to avoid pests) & some recipes |
| Leaflet: How to grow Organic Vegetables from seed | Rebecca Potts Pauline Pears | 2003 | HDRA | Simple, straightforward advice. Well worth reading! |
| The Permaculture Garden | Graham Bell | 2004 | Permanent Publications | Amazing amount of user-friendly information and ideas even for small gardens. Read this and you cannot fail to be inspired. |
| Permaculture in a Nutshell | Patrick Whitehead | 1993 | Permaculture Publications | Good compact introduction but a bit dry in parts. Illuminating chapters on mulching and chickens as part of permaculture systems. |
| Pest Control without Poisons | HDRA | 1990 | HDRA | Methods for successful culture of plants. Some common prob’s solved. (Note: Although no poisons allowed, there are some allowed sprays.) |
| Plants for the Future | Ken Fern | 1997 | Permanent Publications | A wide range of alternative food and energy plants grown using permaculture methods (max output for min work), especially trees |
| The little book of Slugs | Allan Shepherd and Suzanne Galant [Eds] | 2002 | Centre for Alternative Technology | ‘Succeeds in mixing good practical advice with zany humour.’ Get to know your enemy – they will run the world when humans are an ecological footnote. Note that slug pellets are only 60% effective on slugs and harmful for other wild-life. |
| Leaflet Slugs: what can you do about them? | Peter Harper | Centre for Alternative Technology | Some interesting and humane methods (if being fed to ducks is humane), notably the highly effective comfrey method. Give it a go. | |
| Leaflet: Organic Soil Care | Jo Readman? | 1999 | HDRA | ‘Soil is the cornerstone of organic gardening’ – so this is essential reading if you aspire to organic cultivation |
| How to Store Your Garden Produce The key to Self Sufficiency | Piers Warren | 2008 | Green Books | Essential reading for those who grow more than can be consumed at the time. Easy to follow. Lots of recipes as well. |
| The Transition Handbook | Rob Hopkins | 2008 | Green Books | The dangers of oil ‘running out’ no longer apply because we must leave it in the ground to avoid C. Catastrophe but still the TT ‘Bible’ |
| copy 1 | ||||
| The Transition Handbook | Rob Hopkins | 2008 | Green Books | The dangers of oil ‘running out’ no longer apply because we must leave it in the ground to avoid Climate Catastrophe – but this is still the TT ‘Bible’ |
| copy 2 | ||||
| The Transition Timeline | Shaun Chamberlin | 2009 | Green Books | “. . provides an invaluable set of innovative approaches, new narratives and creative thinking tools that will prove vital in enabling us to shape a new kind of society . . . It should be read by everyone, immediately.” Paul Allen, CAT director. What can I add? |
| The tree and shrub Expert copy 1 | Dr D G Hessayon | Pbi publications | Down to earth advice for all planting and maintaining all sorts of garden trees and shrubs, including their use in hedges | |
| The tree and shrub Expert copy 2 | Dr D G Hessayon | Pbi publications | Down to earth advice for all planting and maintaining all sorts of garden trees and shrubs, including their use in hedges | |
| The NEW Vegetable and Herb Expert | Dr D G Hessayon | 1997 | Expert Books | Up to date guidance on growing & avoiding pitfalls for all sorts of vegetables in all sorts of conditions. You don’t need an allotment. |
| Pamphlet: Grow Vegetables | Anna Corbett | 2003 | Emmerson Press | Useful introduction to no-dig methods, use of mulches and beds. Also edible ornamentals |
| in lots of ways | ||||
| How to enjoy your Weeds | Audrey Hatfield | 1969 | Frederick Muller | Arranged alphabetically. Some surprising histories of and benefits from weeds. Also the low-down on their harm to wanted plants. |
| Wildlife Gardening | Fran Hill | 1988 | Derbyshire Wildlife Trust | Low impact gardening in sympathy with wild-life. A small book with lots concise but lucid practical detail on a wide range of topics. |
| A Practical Handbook |