Customer Reviews

The Edible Landscape

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you live in Florida and like to grow your own food, this is the book to have. MacCubbin gives plenty of useful information for growing every fruit and vegetable one can grow in Florida. He provides helpful tips for each. I particularly find the month-by-month growing guide extremely useful. He even gives hints on growing exotics. I have recommended or bought this book for all of my Florida gardening friends.

Much of folks gardening devotion seems to be to their lawns and their flowers. This is a shame. Although beautiful - beauty CAN be combined with abundant, fresh food. With modern convenience, people have neglected the need to be self-sustaining and grow their own food! Their own food can be chocked full of vitamins, minerals, tlc, and be free of pesticides and contaminants. Wow!

That said, this book is certainly a must for anyone who is considering planting an edible garden, square foot garden, or edible landscape here in Florida. All of the above are covered in this book and more. The information is extensive - but easily readable...even by kids. Especially cool is the section detailing the different areas of Florida - North, Central & South - and their different requirements and conditions. Major crops are covered in detail, while minor crops are covered. Good crop profiles are listed in the back & a children's section provides gardening projects that the children will love. :) Chocked full of great ideas for adults and children.

Due to space, more exotic/tropical fruits are only listed, and not covered in deatail.

A MUST buy for all edible Florida Gardeners.

-David

This book is incredibly helpful. Of special benefit is the section on individual types of vegetables. It gives information about the vegetable and lists some recommended varieties for Florida and then, most importantly, it gives you the planting months for each section of Florida for that vegetable. Florida is a LONG state and planting dates do vary quite a lot. I had purchased several other Florida gardening books before this one, but I never even look at the others anymore. I sing the praises of this book because it has made such a difference in my gardening. The info on fruit trees and vines is also very good.

I came across this book doing a google search specific to South Florida gardening. I wanted to start gardening in my South Florida backyard(West Broward County area) after last years horrific results last year.

After reviewing many sites, posts and other reviews, I decided to buy and am so glad I did. This book should be titled The Incredible Edible Landscape. Yes I know its been out of print for years but basic gardening / farming really doesn't change.

What's great about this book as everyone mentions is the Month by Month gardening guide in the back. But also it gives you specifics from planning, soil content, discusses various regions of Florida and it's climate, transplanting, etc - this book is jammed packed with information. There are separate sections on citrus, heat tolerant fruit, exotics, unlikely gardens and pest control. And of course the veggie profile section which gives a wealth of info for someone who really had no knowledge of where to begin gardening in South Florida.

I find myself referencing, referencing, reading and just enjoying this book and all it has to offer this novice South Florida backyard grower.

Oh and it also has a section on building a compost. Three weeks ago we started our compost pile per the section in the book and a little bit further internet reseach just to confirm to myself and my boyfriend I wasnt making a mess inthe yard. We elected to go with a chicken wire structure vs. store bought plastic type housing. LOVE IT - no smell & no bugs - I know the neighbors are happy :) Every Saturday I turn it but it seems to be getting enough air and we are adding to it every day. Last Saturday I added horse manure to the pile from a gal I lease a horse from. I'm hoping to incorporate the compost (once ready) into the garden.

I can't say enough about this book. A must buy!!

A "Must Have" book for planting in Central Florida, but hurry as I think it is no longer being printed. I learned of this book and author from the County Extension. The author lives in Orlando and has 20+ years experience. I now know what and when to start my seeds,as well as plants, trees, and compost info.