In over six hundred pages, one hundred years of the Vilmorin-Andrieux family's encyclopedic knowledge of just about every vegetable, seasoning herb, aIn over six hundred pages, one hundred years of the Vilmorin-Andrieux family's encyclopedic knowledge of just about every vegetable, seasoning herb, and melon known to man is reproduced in its staggering totality. Replete with hundreds of engravings, this book contains varieties of veggies grown today, as well as many, many heirloom varieties.
Each entry begins with an overview of the category of vegetable, including its botanical name, history, cultivation method, and general characteristics. This is followed by the specific varieties which are described in detail and given meticulous instructions for planting and cultivation. The engravings are fine enough to enable the reader to differentiate an Early Dark Erfurt Cabbage from a Large Red Dutch, or Marbled Burgundy Drumhead, even though the pictures are in black and white.
TenSpeed Press wisely chose to make a facsimile edition of the 1885 printing available. For gardening enthusiasts, it is an essential reference work....more
I am a big, big fan of this book. In my varied career as a gardener, I have tilled soil everywhere from rooftop boxes in Canada, to an herb garden at I am a big, big fan of this book. In my varied career as a gardener, I have tilled soil everywhere from rooftop boxes in Canada, to an herb garden at a historic house in Georgia, to a market garden in West Virginia. I have found this book to be absolutely indispensible. It describes growing using the bio-intensive method, first championed by British gardening genius Alan Chadwick, and further developed in California by John Jeavons and the folks at Ecology Action.
One distinguishing aspect of bio-intensive gardening is soil preparation. The beds are deeply dug, using the "double dug" method. While this method is very labor intensive, preparing garden beds so that the soil is loosened two feet down gives the plant roots room to expand, and the plants to thrive. Another characteristic of bio-intensive gardening is that the plantings are not laid out in straight lines. Instead, the seeds or seedlings are laid out in a pattern where each plant has an amount of space between it and the surrounding plants in a grid pattern. Since the double dug beds are higher than the surrounding land, it is possible to even plant on the sides of the mounded earth. This results in a much more efficient use of the land.
Also included are very comprehensive charts for vegetables and garden crops; grain, protein and vegetable oil crops. and cover, organic matter, and fodder crops. Using the information in this book, anyone can grow a flourishing garden organically. For more information on growing bio-intensively, go to http://www.growbiointensive.org/...more
Coleman is the kind of innovative gardener that I aspire to become. Many of the techniques in were not in use elsewhere when this book was first writtColeman is the kind of innovative gardener that I aspire to become. Many of the techniques in were not in use elsewhere when this book was first written. I particularly like his development of soil cubes for starting seeds, instead of using plastic containers. These little compacted cubes of a special soil mixture relieve the gardener of the need for those bothersome plastic trays where the roots end up growing out of the bottoms. With his technique, simply plop the seedling and soil cube into the prepared space, and that's it! Some of his other recommendations, like the collinear hoe he designed that cuts off weed roots just under the soil, are simply brilliant.
Market gardeners will find this book particularly useful, because it contains many ideas for time and labor-saving strategies. It covers all of the basics of organic gardening, includes plenty of the type of charts dear to garden planners' hearts, and has a pleasing layout. Overall, it is a very well done book....more
Mel Bartholomew lays out the strategy for more efficient use of garden space in a very entertaining manner. His basic plan is to lay out the garden inMel Bartholomew lays out the strategy for more efficient use of garden space in a very entertaining manner. His basic plan is to lay out the garden in four foot by four foot blocks, with seed or seedlings laid out according to their need for space. By growing on a grid, plants have all the room they need to grow, but the area used can be kept to a manageable size. Trailing, vine-y plants are grown vertically on trellises to further reduce garden space. This was the first gardening book I ever bought, and even though I now rely almost exclusively on How to Grow More Vegetables, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for this book because it opened my eyes to looking beyond planting in straight rows....more
After a short explanation of what companion planting is and how it works, the rest of the book is an alphabetical listing devoted to plants. Each entrAfter a short explanation of what companion planting is and how it works, the rest of the book is an alphabetical listing devoted to plants. Each entry includes not only what to plant with a particular fruit, vegetable, or flower, but also what not to plant nearby. The organization of the book makes it very easy for a garden planner to look up various combinations in a minimal amount of time. This book has stood the test of time, and deserves a place on any gardener's bookshelf....more
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