Edible Garden (Collins Gardening)

by Joe Swift

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Edible Garden is one of a set of accessible gardening guides by Joe Swift covering a range of gardening topics. Due out 3rd March 2022 from Collins Reference, it's 224 pages and will be available in ebook format.

This is a well written and no-nonsense guide. The author has an encouraging and reassuring voice and information is presented in small digestible (haha) bits. Obviously the emphasis throughout is on edible plants, but he's done quite a good job of choosing the plants which are as attractive as possible and most of which have aesthetic appeal in addition to their utilitarian food uses. Most plants are referred to by both common and botanical (Latin) name for clarity and identification.

The book is full of full color photographs for inspiration and clarity. Although some of the photos are stock photos as credited, there are a number of bespoke photos and tutorials. One of the high points for me with this volume was the useful and specific extra information included on pruning, building up beds, winter protection, raised beds, year round gardening, and the small tutorials and other resource information. Spelling and terminology are British English, but won't present any problems in context with readers from North America.

Four and a half stars. This would be a good choice for public and school libraries, gardening groups, community/allotment gardens, suburban gardeners, homeowners, etc.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.