This is one of the 2 books that actually got me into gardening (the other being Christopher O. Bird's "Modern Vegetable Gardening"). Like most suburban dwellers, I have a back yard that does not lend itself to traditional gardening.

With Mr. Bartholomew's method, I grew green and wax beans, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, sunflowers, corn, pumpkins, lettuce, swiss chard, carrots and radishes all in a garden consisting of 2 4'x8', 1 4'x4' and 1 1'x8' plots. It is an excellent book for beginners, providing basic information on where to place a garden, when in the year to start it, amending your soil (or even making soil, if necessary), etc. There is also a guide for every popular vegetable, showing how and when to plant it, how often to water, how often to fertilize, how to harvest, common problems, and other such things. In conclusion, if you are typical suburban dweller who is interested in starting a garden, this book is a "must read". Not only will you gain great knowledge about a non-traditional form of gardening, but you'll learn that it is really something that you can do, no matter what your level of expertise.

Reviewer: A reader   -