Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit is a massive
640-page, full-color encyclopedia. Written by three very accomplished
gardeners that include an organic gardening specialist, a vegetable
gardening expert and a highly acclaimed herbalist, this book is a big value
for anyone just starting out in any of these areas or anyone wishing to dig
deeper into the nuances of what they already grow.
Did you know that Okra does best when it
is planted with melons and cucumbers? Or that Angelica leaves can be eaten
fresh from early spring to early summer and then should be dried from early
summer until flowering? Surely you knew that sour cherries fruit on younger
wood than sweet cherries so they can be pruned harder!
Seventy different vegetables are explored
in the first part of the book. Each vegetable has its own section, which
varieties, cultivation (which includes growing, maintenance, and harvesting
and storing), pests and diseases, companion planting and culinary uses
(which usually has a recipe highlighting that vegetable).
The next section of the book goes over more
than 100 herbs. Each herb has its own section which is broken down into its different species,
cultivation requirements (which includes propagation, pests and diseases,
maintenance, garden cultivation and harvesting), container growing tips,
culinary and medicinal uses.
Fruits, including nuts, berries and
some unusual plants like prickly pear cactus, take up the last part of the
book. There are 100 fruits that are cataloged, and each fruit's section
includes varieties, cultivation (which includes ornamental and wildlife
value, maintenance, propagation, pruning and training and weed, pest and
disease control), companion planting, harvesting and storing and culinary
use (which usually provides a nice recipe).
The last 100 or so pages of the book cover
gardening ideas with topics that range from ornamental vegetable gardens to
More than just a boring recitation of
plant facts, Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit is a colorful foray into the garden
that will both educate and excite.