Collins Practical Gardener – Kitchen Garden (Collins Practical Gardener S.)

by Lucy Peel (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2003

  $3.25

  The bulk of this practical guide comprises an exhaustive directory of plants, divided into broad sections covering fruit and vegetables, then subdivided into distinctive groups, such as bulb vegetables . It includes special sections that deal with herbs and edible flowers. Each entry includes: background information on general characteristics, planting and care; a visual chart listing the most popular varieties and cultivars, with seasonal guides indicating when to plant and when to harvest; a table of plant care with easily-accessed advice on soil, site, watering, feeding, general care, and pests and diseases; and expert tip boxes. The book opens with a practical guide covering useful techniques for the kitchen gardener: assessing your plot for soil quality, drainage, sun and shade; planning a kitchen garden; planting in beds and containers, and creative ideas for companion planting; advice on crop rotation; growing under glass; information on care and maintenance throughout the year; and the best methods for harvesting, storing and collecting seeds. There are also sections on the problems affecting fruit and vegetables, which include trouble-shooting flow charts to identify the problem and a directory of the most common pests and diseases, and how to treat them. The book closes with a handy calendar of the gardening year.