How plants live and grow.

Abstract

Abstract Air, water, soil and light are the basic resources essential for plants in food gardens. But how do plants use each of these to live and grow to produce the benefits we want, either through their harvest, their appearance, aroma, or other characteristics? This chapter explore answers to this question that will help us garden more successfully and respond to trends that are affecting the gardens, communities, and the world. Knowing the basics of how plants live and grow, including their morphology, or physical form, photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, responses to drought and heat, and salt tolerance increases gardeners' capacity for responding to these trends.