To avoid failures (which are numerous in this area), the authors begin by recalling three golden rules that are evident only for insiders: meet the timetable of each plant, take into account the local climate, respect the soil. They also provide basic advice to prepare the ground (in the sun!), With some essential tools.
77 of 119 pages are devoted to the cultivation of vegetables and 18 herbs 3. Naysayers will say that it lacks diversity. But why encourage beginners to get into complicated crops such as chicory? In practice, the most common vegetables are addressed (carrots, zucchini, strawberries, beans, lettuce, onions, peas, potatoes, radishes, rhubarb, tomato, etc.), and the authors are careful to cite 33 other vegetables and 7 aromatics which are grown a little in the same way as the main plants studied. That makes a total of 51 vegetables and 10 herbs, something to satisfy everyone's tastes.
Most importantly, the necessary know-how to grow each vegetable is discussed in detail, nothing is assumed to be known in advance. In the preamble the difficulty level of each culture is quoted. The neophyte thus learn that the carrot is a species "difficult", while the zucchini is "very easy". Vegetable a vegetable, you'll know if recommended in your area, how to start (areas to devote to it, choose which varieties within the same species, seeding or planting, when, depth, distance, should tamp soil or not tricks), good and bad neighborhoods, sustain growth, keep the harvested vegetables. If I come back to the difficult carrot, you really have all the tips for success, with all relevant pictures. Thus you will learn that it is easier to sow the tiny seeds if they are pre-mixed with sand or coffee grounds.
To top it all, this recent work (February 2012) incorporates the most current knowledge in the field of organic gardening (compost, sowing green manure, mulching vegetables, use of helpful insects and herbal decoctions), without detailing scientific rationales that do not interest anyone. Applying the key points you will quickly be able to do better than those who garden for a long time but the traditional way, without protecting their soil.
Of course you will find more complete than this book, but no more clear, and never at that price rather moderate. Also I recommend it without reservation.
