Incredible Edibles: 43 Fun Things to Grow in the City - Softcover

Day, Sonia

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1554076242 ISBN 13: 9781554076246

Publisher: Firefly Books, 2010

Synopsis

Turn an urban yard or balcony into your personal vegetable farm.

Vegetable gardening is back! Concern about the environment and the desire to eat food unpolluted by chemicals, to buy local and to be thrifty are some of the reasons. Urbanites who have never grown a thing are now eager to try to cultivate vegetables, herbs and fruit in back and front yards, on rooftops and on balconies -- in any suitable space they can find.

Incredible Edibles is for anyone who's thinking: "I'd love to try growing some herbs and vegetables. But is it too difficult? Do I have the space? Or the time?" Sonia Day focuses on edible plants that can be easily grown in a city setting, many of which are seldom featured in gardening books. Her clear, concise advice is perfect for those who don't have the time to wade through a gardening encyclopedia or to learn by trial and error.

Incredible Edibles:

Provides clear, step-by-step instructions on how to start and maintain an organic edible garden

Profiles 43 specially selected "hassle-free" plants

Offers simple and tasty recipes

Recommends the best varieties for small spaces and suggests alternatives

Lists readily available sources for seeds and seedlings

Includes practical tips and personal anecdotes from Day's own gardening experiences

Incredible Edibles is lavishly illustrated with color photographs taken expressly for this book. It will give urban gardeners everywhere the knowledge and confidence to grow and enjoy fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit.

About this title

About the Author:

Master gardener Sonia Day is a gardening columnist for the Toronto Star and the author of several popular gardening books.

Review:

Just because you live in the city or in an apartment, that doesn't mean you need to sacrifice growing great things in a garden. Featuring 43 plants you can grow when you're strapped for space (including veggies, fruits and spices), this book is loaded with practical information like degree of difficulty, plant needs, season, recommended varieties and more so that you can select the perfect plants for your ability level and space. Plus, the information and instructions are straightforward so it's easy to get the kids involved in the growing process, too! (Jillian Melnyk Genesee Valley Parent Magazine 2010-04-01)

While it may seem futile to think about planting in the city, Sonia Day in her Incredible Edibles: 43 Fun Things to Grow in the City shows us otherwise.... Years of home gardening -- a process of trial and error -- have guided her to the top 43 veggies and herbs suitable for easy growth in your backyard, balcony or even rooftop garden.... Day has made the prospect of urban gardening simple and encouraging. Even those who have been at it for years will find hidden gems sprinkled throughout.... If this book doesn't get you geared up for the season, gardening is not for you! (Michelle Singerman Vitality Magazine 2010-04-30)

A great summary for anyone who would like to grow some of their own edibles but doesn't know where to start. (allthedirtongardening.blogspot.com 2010-06-08)

Whether you are a veggie-growing virgin or a seasoned pro, Day's book can provide useful advice and interesting tips... The book's layout is clean, colourful, and easy to scan for bits of information. Barrie Murdock's photos capture each plant and illustrate Day's points for success. The slit-eyed contented cat in the catnip is is perfect.... Her personal anecdotes bring the practical advice alive and make the book a pleasure to read. (Jamis Wallace Brantford Expositor 2010-05-28)

This handy little resource provides concise information and inspiration for the urban gardener who doesn't have the luxury of a traditional garden plot. Helpful tips, such as how to cheat Mother Nature, why you shouldn't plant brassicas and which containers work best are scattered throughout. Sidebars help you find the essential growing information quickly and easily. What makes this book unique: I like that Sonia has included less common plants, like lime balm, stevia, celeriac and asparagus peas, with helpful recipes so you know what the heck to do with it. (Canadian Gardening 2010-04-02)

Sonia Day's Incredible Edibles: 43 Fun Things to Grow in the City coaches you on the basics, from finding the right location and dealing with insect pests and critters to being "choosy" about what to grow. Profiles of the 43 vegetables and herbs she recommends include larder basics as well as the unusual, such as epazote and limebalm, and cover level of difficulty, whether to sow seeds or buy seedlings and, something books seldom address, how much to grow (basil: "lots"; potatoes: "a few as a treat"). It's obvious that each plant description springs from Day's personal experience. (GardenMaking)

Incredible Edibles will give urban gardeners everywhere the knowledge and confidence to grow and enjoy fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit. (I Can Garden.com)

Gardening is gaining momentum, but what are the best veggies, herbs, and fruits for small spaces? Sonia Day profiles 43 hassle-free plants in Incredible Edibles. Easy-glance sidebars describe degree of difficulty; where, when and how to grow; methods and special requirements; common problems; when to harvest; and how to store. (Jocelyn Jacobson Kansas City Star 2010-05-09)

More and more people are giving up larger homes with backyards for yard-less condos, but refuse to give up the pleasure of a garden. Incredible Edibles will give urban gardeners with small space the knowledge and confidence to grow and enjoy fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit. Turn an urban yard or balcony into your personal vegetable farm. (Rob Mooy Kingston This Week 2010-07-01)

A fabulous book... [I] would highly recommend it to first timers or the experienced gardener.... This little book gives you absolutely everything you need to know about successful small-space edible gardening. [Sonia Day] includes information on pests, disease, seed sources and includes a recipe with each crop she details in the book. Colour photos are true-to-life, there's no air brushing here. She rates each crop and includes the 'when, where, how, and how many' suggestions. (Karolyn Fournier Kitchener Citizen 2010-04-14)

About this edition

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1554076242
• ISBN 13: 9781554076246
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128