Good vegetable growing book for beginners

Yorky · Rowan Tree Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 148

Can anyone recommend such a book? I was recommended Sarah Raven's 'The Great Vegetable Plot' but the reviews are not particularly good on this.

What about the book 'RHS Fruit and Vegetable Gardening' ? A simple to follow concise book is what I need.

ian · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:25 pm Post subject:

Hi Yorky,
I have'nt read the RHS book so I can't comment on that one,
the book i use most and recomend is 'The Good Life' by Sally Gordon (1980) it is out of print but can be got on Amazon.com and is very comprehensive and encouraging. I recently got Alan Titchmarsh's new one 'Fruit and Vegetable Growing' lovely pictures and well presented he has a "just go out and try it " attitude, and does'nt fuss about details, also deals with new species which were not around for the older book.
regards,Ian.

Yorky · Rowan Tree Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 148

Thanks. Is this the one?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchen-Gardener-Grow-Your-Fruit/dp/1846072018/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207585902&sr=1-1

medieval knievel · Sessile Oak Tree Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 318

monty and sarah don's fork to fork (also published as from the garden to the table) is good - it's laid out in a chronological manner, and also includes the recipes for the food you're harvesting.

BlackBird · Ash Tree Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 208

I would choose the RHS Fruit and Vegetable Gardening book. It as the name suggests covers both Fruit and Vegetables plus will not get you bogged down, you can dip in and out as you wish.

fuinnseog · Hazel Tree Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 39 Location: Dublin

I have Carol Klein's "Grow your own veg" but it doesn't cover fruits (unless you count toms, peppers etc).
The book i've heard everyone recommend is Dr Hessayon's veg & herb expert. I don't own it though so can't really comment. There is also a Hessayon Fruit Expert too.

ian · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:31 pm Post subject:

Yes yorky, thats the one and here is the other one http://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Life-Sally-Gordon/dp/0460045164/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207769349&sr=1-1

Valdez · Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Cork

I have to say in my two years vegetable gardening there are two books that I swear by.

Firstly, I have found Dr Hessayon's veg & herb expert to be of great help when looking for quick information say on spacing of seedlings when planting

However for more detailed information I have been using Grow Your Own Vegetables by Joy Larkcom, for example information on varieties or pests. Try Play.com (its €10.49 incld delivery) or Amazon

A combination of both books really got me off to a great start

Rach · Hazel Tree Joined: 04 Dec 2007 Posts: 30

Hi Yorky,

I love Joy Larkcoms books on Organic growing.

You can ignore the more complicated stuff and just keep it simple.

Things like salads, peas, beetroot etc. are easy to grow.
Anything that likes a cooler climate really doesn'y require much bother (maybe the odd weeding session!).

There is usually enough basic info. on the back of the seed packet to get started. The seeds just want to grow!

Best of luck,
Rach

crosseyedsheep · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:21 pm Post subject:

I have this book and I find it very good:

http://www.greenfingers.com/superstore/product.asp?dept_id=154&pf_id=BG0020A

You can usually pick them up in garden centres.