Vegetables, Herbs and Fruit: An Illustrated Encyclopedia [Hardcover]

Matthew Biggs (Author), Jekka McVicar (Author), Bob Flowerdew (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2009

The demand for locally sourced organic foods continues to rise. This resource is a prime reference for the many who are growing or wanting to grow their own vegetables, herbs and fruits.

The book features superb full-color photographs and illustrations and an easy-to-use A-Z directory. Comprehensive growing, harvesting and preserving tips and a wealth of recipes are a boon to gardeners and cooks alike.

Practical aspects of gardening are explained in detail, with in-depth sections on creating a garden, pollination, soil fertility and greenhouse growing. Some of the topics covered are:

Nutritional values

The most useful and most recommended varieties

Plant hardiness, propagation and growing guidelines

Cropping, harvesting and storing

Weed, pest and disease control

Ornamental and wildlife value

Pruning and training

Companion planting

Container growing.

A yearly maintenance calendar, glossary, further reading section, seed sources list and detailed index round out this outstanding book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Offers advice on cultivation techniques, dealing with pests and diseases, suggestions for companion plants, and culinary, medicinal and cosmetic uses. (Ken Smith London Free Press 20060722)

Information on individual cultivars, as well as some very good recipes. (Vern Nelson Portland Oregonian 20061214)

This is now my favorite source book for growing, propagating, harvesting, storing, and cooking all things edible. An A to Z-type reference guide, it is easy to use, has beautiful photography, and [has] details all gardeners need like Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and companion plants. These three amazing authors have put together a must-have book for any vegetable grower. (Ursule Sabia Sukinik Washington Gardener 200910)

This has become my 'bible' because it contains great photographs with bite-sized chunks of information that are easy to read, inspiring and comprehensive. (Sonia Day Toronto Star 20071204)

Solid gardening tips and tempting recipes... enough to teach even experienced gardeners new tricks... excellent index. (Diane M. Calabrese American Reference Books Annual 2007)

A garden book full of surprises... there's so much to discover... excellent information. (Patty Jessome Edmonton Sun 20060723)

Whether you utilize it to learn how to use soapwort to treat skin conditions such as eczema or for the recipe for curried parsnip soup, it is valuable to novice and experienced horticulturists alike. Written by a trio of garden experts, this is a must-have resource for any gardener or chef. (Tricia Landry Wallace Country Accents 200609)

For a complete reference on growing food crops, you can't go wrong with the new, up-to-the minute "Vegetables, Herbs and Fruit." (John Van de Water Newark Star-Ledger 20060416)

An indispensable resource, giving an amazing amount of information that will be of value to any gardener, whether planting a field or a window box. (Grainews 20060410)

Well organized, easy to access information, and concisely written. A good reference book! (Making Scents (Magazine of the International Aroma 200703)

Bright color photos, clean layout, and handy hints make this hefty garden bible a treasure, and it's a great deal. (Dee Cherrie Ashman Diversions 200704)

A comprehensive reference book on edible plants... information on hundreds of edible plants accompanied by more than 1,800 color photographs. (Viveka Neveln American Gardener 200603)

Every gardener -- novice or expert -- will find useful information. (Home Cooking 200605)

Exceptional. (David Hobson Kitchener-Waterloo Record 20060411)

What is not included in this definitive and beautifully illustrated sourcebook on edible landscape? (The American Herb Association vo. 21:4 200604)

By far the most comprehensive book on the subject. A must-have for those growing edible crops ... Easy to use. (Connie Krochmal Bee Culture 200612)

For the edible landscape, the best title by far is Vegetables, Herbs and Fruit... everything you need to know to grow, harvest, and use garden produce. (Connie Krochmal BellaOnline 20060325)

An excellent source of information on growing and cooking edible plants. (Cathy Frisinger Fort Worth Star-Telegram 20060311)

Amazingly thorough encyclopedic look at edible plants. (George Weigel Harrisburg Patriot-New 20060427)

This all-encompassing book combines the expertise of three gardeners to offer a prodigious range of information.... easy-to-use alphabetical format, it is illustrated with more than 1,800 color photographs and informative illustrations. (Michigan Gardener 200607)

This book is a handsome addition to the gardening library and an excellent value. (Chris Smith Seattle Post-Intelligencer 20060921)

A well-organized overview that examiners each cultivar in depth... visually pleasing... the insight of some very diverse expert gardeners. (Backhome Magazine 200605)

Good value for money ... very helpful. (Mary Fran McQuade Beach Metro Community News 20061128)

Comprehensive... a valuable reference for both gardeners and inquisitive chefs. (Science News 20060128)

This comprehensive garden book goes beyond the dirt, offering tips on growing, harvesting, preserving and cooking. (Desert News 20090222)

Not only how to grow, but also how to harvest, preserve and use 70 vegetables... a comprehensive, quick-read encyclopedia. (Suzanne Hively Cleveland Plain Dealer 20060302)

I believe this volume will become a constant source of reliable information. Highly recommended. (GreatGardenInfo.com 20090428)

This reference book is as colourful as it is inspiring and will appeal to anyone who would like to grow edible plans. The authors leave no leaf unturned -- every topic is covered.... Best of all, more than 100 recipes are included to take advantage of your crop once it's time to harvest.... With more than 600 pages and 800 colour photos and illustrations, this book is definitely food for thought. (Liz Grogan Good Times 200905)

This all-encompassing book combines the expertise of three leading gardeners to offer a prodigious range of information on more than 100 herbs, 70 vegetables and 100 fruits. Arranged in an easy-to-use alphabetical format from Aaron's Rod to Zucchini, the book is copiously illustrated with more than 1,800 color photographs and informative graphics. Readers learn how to select the plants best suited to their plant zone, and what to do to insure a successful crop. (New Living (Montauk, NY) 200904)

It is about as precise and concise a guide as you would ever wish to find. (Shelf Life 200908)

Satisfying ... There's an abundance of information and tantalizing pictures. Isn't it nice when peas are so neatly tucked into their pods in those very polite rows? (Dominique Browning New York Times 20100527)

It's a useful book for the gardener who is short on time and seeks easy-to-follow, no-fail instructions. (Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 20100522)

A sound investment. (David Hobson Waterloo Region Record 20120407)

About the Author

Matthew Biggs lectures at the Royal Horticultural Society. His other books include Matthew Biggs' Complete Book of Vegetables.

Jekka McVicar has won several top awards from the Royal Horticultural Society. Her other books include The Complete Book of Herbs.

Bob Flowerdew is an author and a lecturer for the Royal Horticultural Society.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (January 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554071267
• ISBN-13: 978-1554071265
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #481,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and informative! January 15, 2004

By L. Hickey

Format:Hardcover

This book is wonderful! Every section gives you a in-depth overview of the vegetable, herb or fruit; detailing different varieties and how they rank in terms of taste and/or hardiness, how to propagate, grow, maintain, harvest and store. Plus gives tips of typical pests/diseases and how to avoid them. Very helpful are the "companion planting" paragraphs, explaining which plants do best next to each other. And to top it all off, each section includes a "culinary" and "medicinal" section, informing you of the best ways to use your crops once harvested. The pictures are beautiful and the wording is easy to understand and to the point. This is a great book for any gardener's reference shelf. Fun to read cover-to-cover, but set up so that you can dip in and out as you choose.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best gardening book I own December 6, 2005

By L. E. Mcdonald

Format:Hardcover

This book has the most readable practicle information on every vegetable, herb or fruit I would ever grow plus many others. It covers some history of origin, varieties, cultivation, propagation, container and garden growing, harvesting & storage as well as uses both medicinal and culinary and also some recipies. I have not come across a more extensive book. My son & daughter both in their early 20's and just starting vege gardening use this as their bible. Well worth owning.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best that your money can get November 9, 2007

By Cestmoi

Format:Hardcover

PRO

- Extensive coverage of fruit, vegetable and herbs.
The book says it covers 100 fruits, 70 vegetables and 100 herbs.
Each subject has Cultivation, Companion planting, and Culinary sections. If it's a herb, it also has Medicinal section.

One day I bought a bag of Macadamias nuts from my local grocery store. The label said they were grown in Australia, Hawaii and Africa. I wanted to know more about them. I opened this book to page 555 and voila! I found all the interesting information about them. There were 3 beautiful photos of the nuts, the tree and the dish made from the nuts. It's informative and mouth watering.

- Very well illustrated.
Each fruit, tree, or vegetable has at least 3 pictures. They're beautiful. The Culianry section always has a picture of the dish made with the fruit, herb or vegetable. It's so colorful and lively that it makes me hungry!

- It's hard covered. So, it will last a long time.

CONS

- It uses the term "Long", "Short", "Medium" to describe the life span of the trees without giving a range in years. This is frustrating because I am not sure approximate how long they live. But I can easily find this information from somewhere else. No book is perfect.

In short, it's definitely worth buying. I use it almost daily for cooking recipes and for general information. Together with Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/, it makes a complete reference. You can find any information on these subject with these 2 resources.