7.22.2012

Kitchen Garden A to Z

A local bookstore in Santa Fe, Garcia Street Books has two bargain tables outside that I can't help rummaging through. One of the books I purchased there this Spring about vegetable gardening was Kitchen Garden A to Z: Growing Harvesting, Buying and Storing by Mike McGrath.
Kitchen Garden A to Z
It's a coffee table book for beginning vegetable gardeners. There are four sections:
  • Kitchen Garden Basics,
  • Tools of the Trade,
  • The Cycle of Life, and
  • The Kitchen Garden A to Z
square foot garden
Kitchen Garden Basics gives an overview of raised beds, composting, companion planting, natural pest and weed control, and containers. The overviews are brief, which I appreciated. I especially liked the summary of composting. It gave enough information without overwhelming a newbie vegetable gardener with too many details. The Tool of the Trade, and the Cycle of Life sections are similarly structured. I might even try making my own seed starting mix next year with the recipe provided in this book. 
lemon cucumbers on makeshift tuteur
The meat of the book is the Kitchen Garden A to Z section. The book starts with artichokes and ends with zucchini. I loved the layout of this section. It devotes a two page spread to most of the plants. (Tomatoes have a four page spread.) The left page has two columns: the first is a photo collage of the plant and the second column provides an overview of the plant with the following headings: scientific name, types, growing tips, harvest, buying, storage, and tricks. It also footnotes what each of the photos are in the collage. The right page is a full page photo of the plant. 
zucchini gone wild
The trick it mentions about zucchini is, "You do not have to choose between the delicious edible squash blossom flowers and fabulous fruit. There is a golden moment when the baby fruits have just become big enough to eat and the flowers is still attached and in good shape." (p. 158)
Roma tomatoes
Even though it is a coffee table book, it is not devoid of useful information. I find myself reading this book before I go to sleep. It includes growing tips for herbs, non-traditional vegetables like kohlrabi and edible flowers. Some readers might find this book scant on detail, but it was enough for me. Please note this book is out of print. However, you can find it online at used book resellers. 
Brandywine tomato
I'm joining Holley's monthly Garden Book Review meme.  Special thanks to Holley at Roses and Other Gardening Joys for hosting. Please check out what other garden bloggers are reading.

16 comments:

  1. This sounds like a great book! So many times, there is way too much information given to a novice vegetable gardener, that it is paralyzing. This book sounds like it gives just the right amount of information to be inspiring. Your vegetables look fabulous! I'm going to have to look for that perfect mix of squash blossom and fruit from now on! Thanks for joining in!

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    1. Thanks for hosting Holley. It was a great starter vegetable book for me.

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  2. Oh, yes, I've heard about this book. It's definitely on my "wish" list. Your veggies look so healthy and tasty!

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    1. I wasn't sure I would find so much information in a coffee table book, but I'm glad I made the impulse purchase.

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  3. Sounds like a good book! I agree that often books have too much information and it can be overwhelming. Too bad this is out of print. Don't you love a good bargain book!

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    1. I can usually find a great art or garden book in the bargain bin at Garcia Street Books. I once got a book on composting and it was way too much information.

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  4. Sounds like a good one. The veggies sure are looking good.

    Cher Sunray Gardens

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    1. Cher, I'm surprised at how well the veggies are doing.

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  5. Nice bargain book. I never ate the squash flowers, that is new to me. I have a pumpkin growing this year and the flowers really attracts bees. That was also new to me. The pumpkin just decided to grow on its own and I let it stay. It is so huge.

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    1. I've never eaten squash blossoms either. I should try throwing some in a salad. I wish a few more bees were buzzing around my veggies.

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  6. Sounds like the kind of book I would enjoy! I'll be checking used books stores too to see if I find a copy.

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    1. Angela, I hope you can find a copy. The author recommends using organic practices and he was editor-in-chief of "Organic Gardening" magazine. I think you would enjoy this book.

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  7. I love these books so I may have to scope out a copy. I adore your veg garden. Everything happily growing and producing. I can never learn enough about veg gardening.

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    1. I feel like it's the little veg garden that could. I hope you can find a copy.

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  8. Excellent review. I love your tuteur! P. x

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Pam! I love the tuteur, too. I think I just like being able to use the word "tuteur." :)

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