Gardening224 p.
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Published: 2/17/15
Source: Free from Blogging for Books for review
This classic gardening bestseller (over 500,000 copies sold) uses ecologically friendly, intensive biodynamic methods to produce large amounts of vegetables in very tiny spaces. Revised for an all new generation of gardeners, the 40th anniversary edition includes brand new information on the variety of heirloom vegetables available today and how to grow them the postage stamp way.My thoughts:
To accommodate today's lifestyles, a garden needs to fit easily into a very small plot, take as little time as possible to maintain, require a minimum amount of water, and still produce prolifically. That's exactly what a postage stamp garden does. Postage stamp gardens are as little as 4 by 4 feet, and, after the initial soil preparation, they require very little extra work to produce a tremendous amount of vegetables--for instance, a 5-by-5-foot bed will produce a minimum of 200 pounds of vegetables.
When first published 40 years ago, the postage stamp techniques, including closely planted beds rather than rows, vines and trailing plants grown vertically to free up space, and intercropping, were groundbreaking. Now, in an ever busier world, the postage stamp intensive gardening method continues to be invaluable for gardeners who wish to weed, water, and work a whole lot less yet produce so much more.
I actually come from a background of farmers. My mother loves to garden and she has started these small gardens on her own. It is with her in mind I got this book for review.
When I looked at the book I loved how the small gardens were set up. I also liked the recommended companion plants to help deter pests. This seemed like a wonderful gardening book to me but it still had to pass the mom test. So, I set it in front of her and she quickly devoured it. Her favorite parts were the plant suggestions listed in the book. She now has her eye on several plants she wants for her garden. She also enjoyed the parts of the book with the companion plants. While I think it would take more time with her not wanting to plant in rows (a farmer thing... LOL) I think this will end up giving her more options. Both of us highly recommend this book for first time gardeners as well as seasoned farmers looking for a personal garden. We give it 4 1/2 stars.
It must be nice and interesting to see all the different gardens there, never tried a book like that I confess! thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI was actually thinking it was more container gardening (like the pic) but it is also in-ground.
DeleteWe do have a tiny garden
ReplyDeleteSweet. :)
DeleteI'm about as good at gardening as I am in the kitchen so it's probably better for all that I steer clear of it, but my mom and mother in law both love to garden. I'll make sure to pass this along to them!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I'm good gardening until the spideys move in. They are good for the garden but not me! :)
DeleteI suck at gardening. No, scratch that. I suck at watering so my poor plants then curl up and die on me because we have hot, mostly dry summers here in SC. But I do lust after gorgeous wee gardens!
ReplyDeleteOh we get so dry here too. I personally think I'd grow cactus. :D
DeleteI wish I could garden here in Portland, but my yard is in the woods and I don't have space. We can grow so many things here.
ReplyDeleteOh you could totally container garden! I bet it would really grow!
DeleteGardening! I've always loved playing in the dirt, and love gardening.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it might be perfect for us. My husband keeps saying he's going to do a garden this year but it easily gets overwhelming for us as we're so busy. So I think doing some small ones might be better. I'll have to consider grabbing this book.
ReplyDeleteI actually have this book, have had it several for several years and it's a great resource. I've used their method for gardening in small raised beds and though I've never gardened before it worked great! I highly recommend this one too!
ReplyDeleteIt is so awesome that you and mom both read and garden. I don't enjoy gardening, but I think I would like a small plot for a few things. Now... to find the space!
ReplyDeleteI totally need to garden more
ReplyDeleteOh awesome. I've had my eye on this one since seeing it on blogging for books. Might have to get it for this season :)
ReplyDeleteDoes she get into patio gardens? I have been growing them in pots on my back porch.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read for the green fingered. I love that despite first being published all of those years ago its being revised means it is relevant today.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation! My husband just built a raised garden bed, but we weren't sure what to plant. Will check this book out for suggestions. Can't go wrong when it's Mom-approved! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty untalented at gardening, but this is something my mom would definitely love! Thanks for introducing me to it!
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