Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit: An Illustrated Encyclopedia by Matthew Biggs and Bob Flowerdew and Jekka McVicar

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  • ISBN 10 1554071267
  • ISBN 13 9781554071265
  • Published Dec 05 2005
  • Format Hardcover
  • Language English
  • Publisher Firefly Books

Publishers Text

The definitive sourcebook to growing, harvesting, preserving, and cooking.


This superbly illustrated reference contains a wealth of information to help gardeners choose the plants best suited to their space, climate, and needs. Three experts guide the reader in choosing which vegetables, herbs, and fruit to grow, and then in successfully producing the crop.


The vegetable and herb sections are arranged alphabetically by botanical Latin name, and the fruit section is arranged by fruit type. Accompanied by full color photographs and a brief introduction discussing the plant's origins and history, each entry presents a wealth of practical tips on cultivation, including:

  • Edibility, nutritional value, the most useful and recommended varieties
  • Plant hardiness, propagation, and growing guidelines
  • Cropping, harvesting, and storing
  • Weed, pest, and disease control
  • Ornamental and wildlife value
  • A maintenance calendar - Pruning and training
  • Companion planting
  • Container growing


The remainder of the book focuses on the practical aspects of gardening and has in-depth sections on creating a garden, pollination, soil fertility, greenhouse growing, and much more. The book wraps up with a glossary, further reading, seed sources, hardiness zones, and a detailed index.

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