KG Bookshelf: August 2011

Kids in the Wild Garden

With creative expeditions and bright illustrations, Kids in the Wild Garden will ‘educate and excite’ young minds and their gardening mentors.

Devised by passionate gardener Elizabeth McCorquodale, the book offers a playful hands-on guide to the outdoors, encouraging budding explorers to see gardens as their own nature reserve full of interesting activities to stimulate their senses.

The simple step-by-step projects, such as planting a butterfly garden and making a bird tree, provide the perfect excuse to embrace the fresh air and surrounding wildlife.

Kids in the Wild Garden by Elizabeth McCorquodale is published by Black Dog Publishing, priced £9.95.

ISBN: 978-1-907317-20-0

Who is it for?

For any child – or adult – who longs to be a green fingered adventurer.

Don’t Throw It, Grow It!

Don’t Throw It, Grow It! – 68 Windowsill Plants From Kitchen Scraps targets an audience who will enjoy ‘horticultural adventures’.

Deborah Peterson, former president of the American Pit Gardening Society, and the late Millicent Selsam show how common kitchen staples can be coaxed into becoming vibrant houseplants.

The book offers growing instructions for over 50 plants in four broad categories – kitchen vegetables; fruits and nuts; herbs and spices; and more exotic plants from ethnic markets.

It will appeal both to committed recyclers and to anyone who wants to find ‘magic in the mundane’ – and ideal for the younger gardening enthusiast.

Don’t Throw It, Grow It! published by Storey Publishing, priced at £6.99. ISBN: 978-1-60342-064-8

Who is it for?

Anyone who likes to ‘make magic’ in their garden and kitchen.

Organic Vegetable & Fruit: Growing and Preserving Month By Month

Suggesting a wide range of planting techniques and information for over 80 varieties of vegetable, Organic Vegetable & Fruit: Growing and Preserving Month By Month, will help you to grow and use organic food in an effective manner.

Written by inspirational organic gardeners, former scientists and directors of Garden Organic, Alan and Jackie Gear, the book provides a clear month-by-month and additional crop-by-crop guides to growing, harvesting and preserving fresh organic produce that is clear and in-depth enough to suit everyone from beginners to professionals.

It is the perfect companion to take you from ‘plot to plate’.

Alan & Jackie Gear’s Organic Vegetable & Fruit: Growing and Preserving Month By Month is published by Watkins Publishing, priced £12.99. ISBN: 978-1-906787-92-9

Who is it for?

From experienced growers to first time producers and everyone in between.

The Pruning Answer Book

Trimming back unruly plants and climbers will no longer be a problem when using this latest pocket-sized guide, The Pruning Answer Book.
Produced by two experienced authors and gardeners, Lewis Hill and Penelope O’Sullivan, the book covers everything from the importance of pruning to where to cut and why, forming a comprehensive overview that is both easy to understand and navigate.

Promising a ‘solution to every problem you’ll ever face’ it is a must have for any green-fingered enthusiast.

Lewis Hill and Penelope O’Sullivan’s The Pruning Answer Book is published by Storey Publishing, priced £10.99.

ISBN: 978-1-60342-710-4

Who is it for?

Suitable for anyone – from keen novices looking to develop their clipping techniques to experienced gardeners wanting to brush up skills.

Small but productive

Written by the best-selling author of Vegetable Growing Month by Month – John Harrison – here is a little paperback aimed squarely at the city/town gardener or anyone with limited space to grow their own produce.

In Vegetable, Fruit and Herb Growing in Small Spaces; whether you have just a courtyard, small patio or window box, John explains how best to optimise the space available for growing your own fruit and vegetables.

As most of the produce is grown in containers, it alleviates some of the hard work associated with gardening ie digging and there are also useful tips for gardeners with physical disabilities.

John also advises on plant and container selection as well as pest control and producing your own compost. He does err on the side of caution, for example he suggests kale is not really suitable for container growing. That is true but it isn’t impossible and it is one brassica you could try as you are only harvesting a few leaves at a time.

A good useful book written in a practical and easy to follow format although very few pictures, just a scattering of drawings.

Vegetable, Fruit and Herb Growing in Small Spaces is published in softback by Right Way, priced £5.99. ISBN 978-0-7160-2245-9

Who is it for?

Anyone who has limited space but wants to grow fruit and vegetables

Grow Your Food For Free – well, almost

Suitable for all manner of garden types and levels of experience, Dave Hamilton’s Grow Your Food For Free will take you on a ‘frugal journey through the seasons’ encouraging you to embrace the treasures hidden in the trash.

As a professional forager, the guide combines a variety of creative projects with clear easy-to-follow diagrams and instructions which place emphasis on recycling and reusing a whole host of materials to help you get the most from your outdoor space.

Providing ingenious gardening solutions for all seasons and problems, it’s sure to satisfy both your bank balance and inner eco-warrior.

Grow Your Food For Free – well, almost by Dave Hamilton is published by Green Books, priced at £14.95. ISBN: 978-1-900322-89-8

Who is it for?

Aimed at the thrifty gardener who wants to spend as little money as possible on his pursuit.

Take charge of your allotment

The timing of this release coincides perfectly with the rising numbers of urban and small plot/allotment gardeners, or indeed anyone new to the 'grow your own' movement.

Whether you are a novice, gardening in an effort to save money by growing your own or an experienced grower looking to improve on your kitchen garden then this is for you. Has tips on crop management and planting. It is a handy guide and makes for an informative read.

Published in 1940, Alec Bristow's classic guide became a key reference for those involved in the 'Dig for Victory' campaign, introduced to get Britons involved in a national campaign to produce home-grown produce. How To Run An Allotment is published by Beautiful books in hardback, priced £9.99. ISBN: 978-1-905636-92-1

Who is it for?

For those interested in taming and maintaining a small plot or allotment.

For more reviews, see this months issue, available to buy online!