Synopsis
A popular columnist describes the French Intensive method of organic gardening, which combines an attractive flower garden with effective vegetable cultivation, and demystifies the process of quality seed catalog shopping.
Reviews
Emphatically opinionated as well as passionate, syndicated newspaper columnist Thompson (Feasts and Friends) imparts her hard-earned views in a delightful, saucy style. In seed catalogues, she notes, inferior-tasting "round seeded peas get comments like 'a useful crop.' That's like saying they're nice." The first and longer section, "In the Garden," alphabetically lists and describes growing requirements of vegetable-garden edibles from amaranths to watermelon. Thompson includes recommendations among varieties and invaluable, rarely found tidbits of information like a list of plants for a beginner's garden and intelligible explanation of the difference between "sugary enhanced" and "supersweet" corn. "The Gardener's Notebook," an extended, comprehensive glossary of anecdotal and technical organic gardening information, is rounded off with a superb annotated source list, directory of nationwide cooperative extension services and a bibliography. Practical, hands-on gardening books don't come much better than this one. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Vegetable gardeners will delight in food and garden columnist Thompson's comprehensive guide to growing the tastiest, most attractive varieties of vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. The orientation is organic, and the aim is to achieve the utmost in culinary potential and eating pleasure from one's own produce. Thompson recommends an impressive array of unusual and intriguing selections, offering a remarkable amount of detailed advice, with more than adequate information provided regarding specific growing conditions--horticultural and geographic. In an A-to-Z section containing important gardening facts, the author shares her knowledge on seeds, sources, and much more. Packed with information that won't be found in other books, this outstanding selection will fascinate gourmets and gardeners alike. Alice Joyce
Syndicated columnist Thompson profiles more than 300 vegetables and other edibles in this useful addition to gardening literature. Plants are listed more or less alphabetically by common name, with some grouped together by use, such as potherbs or salad greens. Each entry includes information on cultivation, history, harvesting, and recommended varieties. Following these entries is the Gardener's Notebook, which gives additional information on a potpourri of topics from "All-America Selections" to "Zones, Hardiness." Thompson also provides a chart on common pests and diseases; source lists for seeds, plants, and supplies; and a list of cooperative extension services. Her book is not for the absolute beginner; she assumes, for example, that one knows what mulch is. Still, almost all gardeners will benefit from Thompson's solid advice and enjoy her personable prose. Highly recommended. [This is the companion book to Thompson's The Kitchen Garden Cookbook, published this month.]?Virginia A. Henrichs, Chicago Botanic Garden Lib., Glencoe, Ill.
-?Virginia A. Henrichs, Chicago Botanic Garden Lib., Glencoe, Ill.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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