My Copy: 9781465409614 (image from bn.com)

Well, this is definitely a book for beginners when it comes to home gardening, and I’m really glad I got it. It’s not super-crazy detailed and is not complete by any stretch, but if you’re totally new like me, this guide is a fantastic start.

I’m determined to live healthier and make a garden to provide my own fruits and veggies (and give some to neighbors). If you’re trying to do things on a budget, especially making your own raised beds out of parts or wanting to conserve water, then there’s plenty here for you. There are a few areas where I’d love to have clarification (such as the thing to protect raspberries), but I suppose that’s what YouTube garden videos will be for.

There are some cool ideas I’d never heard of before, like using toilet paper cores for long bean or pea planters. You’ll have a lot of space for the roots to grow long and won’t disturb ’em too much if you plant the whole tube in the ground (which will then disintegrate, of course, over time). I like some of the recycling ideas and though I don’t really have the materials, I’m glad I’ve got a book that gives me some great options.

It doesn’t go into too much detail regarding starting from seeds, probably because that’s a whole book for itself right there, but if you plan on having a small or large outdoor garden, then this will help. I recommend looking around for other works regarding seed starting or greenhouses.

If you’ve never really tried your green thumb and want some basics on kitchen gardening, then this is a worthwhile pick. It’s got plenty of pictures and is a good reference book to remind you about some of the more common plants you may want to put in the ground. Always read up more on the specific fruits and veggies you want, of course, but it’s a good start.