Book & Publication Reviews

Following are my own reviews of books and magazines that I have found helpful. The links will take you directly to that book's site at amazon.com (or the magazine's website) where you can get more info and order it, if you so choose.

Publications

Organic Gardening
It's not the same without former editor Mike McGrath, but it's better than nothing. On the upside, a great new look by Creative Director Rosalind Loeb Wanke (formerly of Kitchen Garden). On the downside, a revolving door of editors (currently Maria Rodale), a new emphasis on flowers and lawns, and now only published bimonthly. Subscription $19.96/year (6 issues); $3.99 each at the newstand.

Taunton's Kitchen Gardener
If you only subscribe to one vegetable gardening magazine, this should be the one. The articles are fresh, beautifully illustrated, and informative without getting bogged down in too many technical details. It includes tips, projects, cultivation, and cooking information. The only downside is that you'll be waiting by the mailbox for awhile in anticipation of the next issue... it's only published bimonthly. Subscription $24/ year (6 issues); $4.95 each at the newsstand.

Books

Cooking

Saveur Cooks: Authentic American
by the Editors of Saveur Magazine. Gorgeous photographs showcase food and the people who cook, raise, and eat it. A 320 page journey through the heart of America, complete with recipes, techniques, and the stories of famous chef and backyard barbecuer alike. A must have. Click above to go to the amazon.com description, if only for a look at the writeup from the publishers of the New York Times. Hardback, list $40.00.

Herbs

Kitchen Herbs: The Art and Enjoyment of Growing Herbs and Cooking with Them
by Sal Gilbertie. Out of print, but well worth the trouble to find used. Photographs of each herb, how to grow, propagation, harvesting, and recipes. Hardback, list $29.50.

Fruit/Nuts

All About Growing Fruits, Berries and Nuts by Ortho Books
All About Citrus & Subtropical Fruits
by Ortho Books. If you can forgive the chemical leanings of these Ortho books, they are a great source of information, particularly in regard to fruit varieties and growing area. Each variety is described in detail, allowing you to decide by attribute and growing region the best variety for you. A color coded graphic with each section shows you at a glance whether you should even attempt growing a particular fruit in your area. The pruning advice for each fruit is also very helpful.

Organic Gardening

Maritime Northwest Garden Guide
by Seattle Tilth. I'm a big fan of region specific gardening information, and although I was only able to review the February and March chapters of this book, it looks like a winner for organic gardeners in the extreme northwest. There seems to be a lot of emphasis on gardening with children and soil improvement. Extensive lists of what to plant when will be helpful to gardeners new to the region.

Organic Pest & Disease Control
by Barbara W. Ellis (Editor), Frances Tenenbaum (Editor). This is a great basic primer with drop-dead gorgeous illustrations of insects and diseases. Who ever thought a mole cricket could look this good? One of Taylor's Weekend Gardening Guides, paperback, list $12.95.

Rodale's All New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensable Resource for Every Gardener
by Marshall Bradley, Barbara W. Ellis (Editor), Fern Marshal Bradley. This is the bible of organic gardening...everything (well, almost) that you could possibly want to know in 690 pages of gardening nirvana. Paperback, list $19.95.

Propagation

Propagation Handbook: Basic Techniques for Gardeners
by Geoff Bryant. Must-have reference handbook with a comprehensive list of "most common" propagation techniques for each plant, whether it's seed, division, cutting, grafting, or bulb. Then there's a chapter devoted to each technique with detailed how-to's. Includes vegetables, but lists virtually every garden plant known to man. Paperback, List $12.95.

Vegetables

100 Heirloom Tomatoes for the American Garden
by Carolyn J. Male. While not particularly organic in nature, this is a great guide to heirloom tomatoes. The full page photos are spectacular. If you're at all interested in the subject, this book is a must. My only quibble is that it doesn't describe which tomatoes do best in which area of the country... in my experience, a very important factor in success with heirlooms. Paperback, amazon.com price, $17.95.

 

 

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