Greenhouse Gardening for Beginners and Aquaponics for Beginners: 2 Books in 1

Greenhouse growing and aquaponics offer two distinct ways to rethink the home garden. Andrew McDeere’s two-part guide introduces both: first, growing under cover; then, raising plants in a system that connects plant cultivation with aquaculture. For beginners weighing up these approaches, the book brings practical planning topics and foundational concepts into one volume.

Plan a greenhouse around the growing conditions

The greenhouse section ranges from choosing a structure and comparing a greenhouse with a polytunnel to managing heat, cooling, ventilation, irrigation, and wind exposure. It also addresses insect management and greenhouse cleaning—useful considerations for anyone thinking beyond the structure itself to the conditions plants need inside it.

Explore what to grow under cover

Topics include tomatoes, peppers, and tropical fruits, alongside a fruit-and-vegetable growing calendar. The emphasis is on understanding the practical factors that shape greenhouse growing, from temperature and water to seasonal planning and pests.

Meet the aquaponics approach

The second part introduces aquaponics, its basic components, and its relationship to hydroponics. It discusses creating a system, biological surface area (BSA), and calculating BSA, then turns to plants suited to aquaponics. This gives readers a starting framework for understanding how the method works and what planning it involves.

Two growing methods, one useful starting point

By pairing greenhouse gardening with aquaponics, the book lets new growers explore both protected cultivation and a water-based growing system in a single read. It may suit gardeners deciding which approach to investigate, as well as readers who simply want a clear introduction to each subject.

If you’re ready to think more deliberately about where and how your food grows, this guide offers two different paths to begin exploring.