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De eetbare tuin Lekker eten uit eigen tuin
Thrifty and resourceful ways to take the good life and refashion it to fit into city life, by throwing out the old rules of gardening and combining the beautiful with the edible
Abandoning the limitations of traditional gardening methods, Alys Foster describes how she has created a beautifully productive garden where tomatoes sit happily next to roses, carrots are woven between the lavenders, potatoes grow in pots on the patio, and all of it is produced in a way that mimics natural systems, producing delicious homegrown food for her table. She also shares her favorite recipes for the hearty dishes, pickles, and jams she makes to use up her bountiful harvest, proving that no one need go hungry on her grow-your-own regime. Good for the pocket, good for the environment, and hugely rewarding for the soul, this guide urges urbanites everywhere to chuck out the old gardening rules and create their own haven that's as good to look at as it is to eat.
Abandoning the limitations of traditional gardening methods, Alys Foster describes how she has created a beautifully productive garden where tomatoes sit happily next to roses, carrots are woven between the lavenders, potatoes grow in pots on the patio, and all of it is produced in a way that mimics natural systems, producing delicious homegrown food for her table. She also shares her favorite recipes for the hearty dishes, pickles, and jams she makes to use up her bountiful harvest, proving that no one need go hungry on her grow-your-own regime. Good for the pocket, good for the environment, and hugely rewarding for the soul, this guide urges urbanites everywhere to chuck out the old gardening rules and create their own haven that's as good to look at as it is to eat.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
71 people are currently reading
851 people want to read
About the author
Alys Fowler
19 books93 followersAlys Fowler trained at the Horticultural Society, the New York Botanical Garden and the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew. After finishing her training, she worked as a journalist for the trade magazine, Horticulture Week, and then joined the Gardeners' World team as a horticultural researcher.
Alys is a gardener who loves food. She has an allotment and an urban back garden with two chickens, lots of flowers and plenty of vegetables. Her inspiration for urban gardening comes from her time volunteering in a community garden on the Lower East side in Manhattan, New York City. Much of the ethic, thrift and spirit she encountered there is found in her work today. She is author of several books and writes a weekly column on gardening for the Guardian.
Alys is a gardener who loves food. She has an allotment and an urban back garden with two chickens, lots of flowers and plenty of vegetables. Her inspiration for urban gardening comes from her time volunteering in a community garden on the Lower East side in Manhattan, New York City. Much of the ethic, thrift and spirit she encountered there is found in her work today. She is author of several books and writes a weekly column on gardening for the Guardian.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 13, 2016
I've placed this in my Cookbooks folder on Goodreads, but to be honest, there aren't a lot of actual recipes. This is more a book about creating an edible garden made up of a mix of vegetables, herbs and edible flowers.
I like the way Alys Fowler has written this book. It is enjoyable to read. It's probably not the best book for a beginner who just wants basic tips on how to grow vegetables in their garden, as it's not always easy to jump to a specific section. This is more one of those books that you leave hanging around somewhere convenient, so that you can keep picking it up and reading a few more pages, gradually absorbing the information and hopefully making use of it in the future.
This is a beautiful book. I love the cover, matt pages and illustrations. It has a real natural, organic feel to it, so I enjoy having it on my bookshelf.
I like the way Alys Fowler has written this book. It is enjoyable to read. It's probably not the best book for a beginner who just wants basic tips on how to grow vegetables in their garden, as it's not always easy to jump to a specific section. This is more one of those books that you leave hanging around somewhere convenient, so that you can keep picking it up and reading a few more pages, gradually absorbing the information and hopefully making use of it in the future.
This is a beautiful book. I love the cover, matt pages and illustrations. It has a real natural, organic feel to it, so I enjoy having it on my bookshelf.
January 4, 2023
So, I was relaxing in the sunshine, wondering what to read next, and wondering what to do in the garden next... so I reached for the Christmas present and started to read. Alys Fowler has a lovely way of bringing a gardening manual into her own garden, informing and not preaching, covering things that most gardeners know with titbits that make the reading worthwhile. It's an approach to gardening in a lovely mixing up of vegetables and flowers that makes for a happy and attractive jumble. And it works!
I mostly wanted the book for some recipes for preserving that went into the tv programme that Alice presented, and although some are there, the one I wanted (the pea-shoot cocktail) isn't, but there are plenty of references to follow up. The list of vegetables (and fruit and herbs) that suit this way of gardening was excellent and informative, and has given me ideas for more things to try. And the pictures are great!
After I finished it I took one thing I'd learnt and sowed my winter lettuces - because lettuces need a few hours of cool weather after they've been sown, so best to sow them in the evening during the summer months! Did you know that?
A book for everyone who'd like to grow vegetables in a corner of their garden, or on their patio, or just in a more relaxed fashion.
I mostly wanted the book for some recipes for preserving that went into the tv programme that Alice presented, and although some are there, the one I wanted (the pea-shoot cocktail) isn't, but there are plenty of references to follow up. The list of vegetables (and fruit and herbs) that suit this way of gardening was excellent and informative, and has given me ideas for more things to try. And the pictures are great!
After I finished it I took one thing I'd learnt and sowed my winter lettuces - because lettuces need a few hours of cool weather after they've been sown, so best to sow them in the evening during the summer months! Did you know that?
A book for everyone who'd like to grow vegetables in a corner of their garden, or on their patio, or just in a more relaxed fashion.
October 27, 2017
Writes like she gardens (in drifts, from one thing to the next, no straight lines, lots of pretty). Not a practical instructional book; a dreaming book.
April 29, 2010
In The Edible Garden, Alys Fowler is trying out a new (to her) system of gardening that's variously called polyculture (what I'd call an aspect of permaculture), edible landscaping, decorative kitchen gardening and ornamental edibles. The idea is to turn a smallish garden into an edible paradise, and the book explains clearly how you might go about that.
Alys covers all the basics about growing from seed, fertilizing, making compost and green manures that you will need to grow edibles without resorting to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. She goes on to have a good look at plants you might like to have in your garden - from common vegetables, herbs and fruits through to perennial vegetables and more unusual specimens you may not have come across, as well as edible flowers. She's clear about what can grow in a container and what is only really viable when planted in the ground.
Then there's a big section on using your harvest, including ideas for preserves and chutneys as well as recipes for meals using the produce from your garden and wild plants you've foraged. She touches on fermentation, motors on through herbal teas and ends up with fruit liqueurs and cocktails, so there really should be something to appeal to everyone.
Detailed, informative and inspiring, Alys has come up with a book that encourages people to get out in the garden and grow something to eat, and is a good effort at describing a way of growing edibles that doesn't follow the normal 'straight row' standard. All in all this is one that any laid back vegetable grower would enjoy having a regular dip into.
Alys covers all the basics about growing from seed, fertilizing, making compost and green manures that you will need to grow edibles without resorting to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. She goes on to have a good look at plants you might like to have in your garden - from common vegetables, herbs and fruits through to perennial vegetables and more unusual specimens you may not have come across, as well as edible flowers. She's clear about what can grow in a container and what is only really viable when planted in the ground.
Then there's a big section on using your harvest, including ideas for preserves and chutneys as well as recipes for meals using the produce from your garden and wild plants you've foraged. She touches on fermentation, motors on through herbal teas and ends up with fruit liqueurs and cocktails, so there really should be something to appeal to everyone.
Detailed, informative and inspiring, Alys has come up with a book that encourages people to get out in the garden and grow something to eat, and is a good effort at describing a way of growing edibles that doesn't follow the normal 'straight row' standard. All in all this is one that any laid back vegetable grower would enjoy having a regular dip into.
October 13, 2017
De eetbare tuin door Alys Fowler
Dit boek is bij ons uitgebracht door Karakter Uitgevers B.V. maar is oorspronkelijk een BBC boek. Fowler is de presentatrice en een medewerkster achter de schermen van het populaire tuinprogramma The Edible Garden.
Een programma dat mij onbekend is maar waarvan ik de populariteit begrijp als ik dit boek bekijk.
Naast een enorm mooi boek is het ook super boeiend. Op een vlotte manier schrijft Alys pagina’s vol over polycultuur, eetbare tuinen en goed zijn voor de wereld om ons heen. Ze schrijft alsof ze naast je staat te vertellen, vlot maar toch vol kennis en wijsheid. Dit boek sluit mooi aan bij de wereldwijde opmars van ecologisch zelf groenten, fruit en kruiden verbouwen. Of je een halve wei hebt, een stadstuin of gewoon een balkon, met dit boek leer je de ruimte die je hebt optimaal te benutten.
Het is ook fijn dat Alys niet met haar kennis pronkt, ze zegt zelf enkel tips te geven en haar eigen ervaringen te delen. Ze spoort ons ook aan om dat zelf ook (online) te doen.
Hoe flauw het ook mag klinken: het is ook een gezellig boek. Met hier en daar een leuke tekening, foto’s waarop maar een half hoofd staat of een vuil mes naast een bord ligt. Een beetje alles mag, niets moet. Past helemaal bij het soort tuin dat zij voor ogen heeft.
Naast tips voor de tuin staan er in dit boek ook recepten, boeketten, manieren om te oogsten, zaden te bewaren…
Een boek om in te duiken nu het wat frisser wordt buiten. En met alle opgedane kennis kan je over een paar maanden, als de winter voorbij is, zelf aan de slag. Ik heb alvast enorm veel goesting gekregen!
Dit boek is bij ons uitgebracht door Karakter Uitgevers B.V. maar is oorspronkelijk een BBC boek. Fowler is de presentatrice en een medewerkster achter de schermen van het populaire tuinprogramma The Edible Garden.
Een programma dat mij onbekend is maar waarvan ik de populariteit begrijp als ik dit boek bekijk.
Naast een enorm mooi boek is het ook super boeiend. Op een vlotte manier schrijft Alys pagina’s vol over polycultuur, eetbare tuinen en goed zijn voor de wereld om ons heen. Ze schrijft alsof ze naast je staat te vertellen, vlot maar toch vol kennis en wijsheid. Dit boek sluit mooi aan bij de wereldwijde opmars van ecologisch zelf groenten, fruit en kruiden verbouwen. Of je een halve wei hebt, een stadstuin of gewoon een balkon, met dit boek leer je de ruimte die je hebt optimaal te benutten.
Het is ook fijn dat Alys niet met haar kennis pronkt, ze zegt zelf enkel tips te geven en haar eigen ervaringen te delen. Ze spoort ons ook aan om dat zelf ook (online) te doen.
Hoe flauw het ook mag klinken: het is ook een gezellig boek. Met hier en daar een leuke tekening, foto’s waarop maar een half hoofd staat of een vuil mes naast een bord ligt. Een beetje alles mag, niets moet. Past helemaal bij het soort tuin dat zij voor ogen heeft.
Naast tips voor de tuin staan er in dit boek ook recepten, boeketten, manieren om te oogsten, zaden te bewaren…
Een boek om in te duiken nu het wat frisser wordt buiten. En met alle opgedane kennis kan je over een paar maanden, als de winter voorbij is, zelf aan de slag. Ik heb alvast enorm veel goesting gekregen!
November 14, 2017
This book has become a favorite. It has very useful information and fantastic writing (I love her fun and sometimes random commentary). I borrowed it from the library previously but ended up returning it without reading much; at the time it was too overwhelming to me.
A year older, and with more gardening experience under my belt, it was perfect! I love the way it is put together with general information first and then specific plants to grow and what they do well with. Then practical information like seed-saving and recipes at the end.
I definitely recommend it, especially for people looking to grow an edible garden mixed with flowers (many that are edible too!). It is great too for people who need some guidance on layout; Alys Fowler pretty much plans your garden for you.
Will definitely have to borrow this again and probably purchase it eventually to take notes in it.
A year older, and with more gardening experience under my belt, it was perfect! I love the way it is put together with general information first and then specific plants to grow and what they do well with. Then practical information like seed-saving and recipes at the end.
I definitely recommend it, especially for people looking to grow an edible garden mixed with flowers (many that are edible too!). It is great too for people who need some guidance on layout; Alys Fowler pretty much plans your garden for you.
Will definitely have to borrow this again and probably purchase it eventually to take notes in it.
October 3, 2018
A guide for a useful garden
The Edible Garden is a fun, easy to read guide for gardeners wishing their garden to be a useful space. The informative book goes over plant varieties, gardening methods, and even food recipes. There is a lot of information in this book! The author is located in England, so not all of the information was relevant for me in Nevada, but I learned quite a bit and am inspired for next years growing season.
The Edible Garden is a fun, easy to read guide for gardeners wishing their garden to be a useful space. The informative book goes over plant varieties, gardening methods, and even food recipes. There is a lot of information in this book! The author is located in England, so not all of the information was relevant for me in Nevada, but I learned quite a bit and am inspired for next years growing season.
April 23, 2020
Not the fault of the authors. I bought the book for specific information and I live in Northern California. It was written in England. 😱 Really good information nevertheless. I found some very interesting ideas. Useful, if you can translate between directions for gardening in England and gardening in your part of the world.
October 2, 2017
A little less detailed/organized than my favorites.
January 20, 2024
Tons of amazing info for gardeners who like to try out of the box things
March 22, 2025
entertainingly written sprawling knowledge about gardening to cook. Not so much an encyclopedia as an entertaining afternoon with a friend who knows their stuff
September 20, 2018
I love this book. Alys has a way with plants and words. In her urban backyard she Intermingles flowers, veg, chickens, art and what-have-you. She throws away rules and convention yet offers sound advice and creative ideas for a memorable and healthy garden.
December 12, 2013
Highly informative book with beautiful photos and illustrations
Add a little Spring to your Winter and join our blog tour for Fowler’s The edible Garden. This book has it all, from getting your garden started, to how to save seeds and so much more. I totally fell in love with this book and its beautiful illustrations. The edible Garden gives you a full view of how Fowler enjoys her own garden and how to create your own “Garden of Eden.” Whether you are a do it yourself who likes to do all your garden by hand or you just like to grow some edibles out on your deck, you will find this book informative and enjoyable.
There is something in The edible Garden for every one, whatever the age. Chapter 1, Things to Know, includes information on getting your garden started and growing healthy plants. Chapter 2, Things to Grow, covers all of Fowler’s tips on growing vegetables and flowers, with an edible directory including edible flowers and great tips on seed saving. In Chapter 3, Reaping Your Harvest, you will learn the harvesting of your edibles, cooking and Fowler has included some great recipes.
The edible Garden makes a great gift for that gardener in your life, who like me, will fall in love with this highly informative book and its beautiful photos and illustrations. As a gift, I highly recommend the paperback the photo are beautiful and the look and feel of the book is gift that will always be remembered.
Add a little Spring to your Winter and join our blog tour for Fowler’s The edible Garden. This book has it all, from getting your garden started, to how to save seeds and so much more. I totally fell in love with this book and its beautiful illustrations. The edible Garden gives you a full view of how Fowler enjoys her own garden and how to create your own “Garden of Eden.” Whether you are a do it yourself who likes to do all your garden by hand or you just like to grow some edibles out on your deck, you will find this book informative and enjoyable.
There is something in The edible Garden for every one, whatever the age. Chapter 1, Things to Know, includes information on getting your garden started and growing healthy plants. Chapter 2, Things to Grow, covers all of Fowler’s tips on growing vegetables and flowers, with an edible directory including edible flowers and great tips on seed saving. In Chapter 3, Reaping Your Harvest, you will learn the harvesting of your edibles, cooking and Fowler has included some great recipes.
The edible Garden makes a great gift for that gardener in your life, who like me, will fall in love with this highly informative book and its beautiful photos and illustrations. As a gift, I highly recommend the paperback the photo are beautiful and the look and feel of the book is gift that will always be remembered.
August 10, 2016
Alys Fowler is the only gardener who I can actually relate to. No perfectly manicured lawns or vegetables in straight rows here. This is real life, fit in with your busy life gardening. Alys takes you into a permaculture style world of inter planting and beautiful vegetable gardening ( including some weeds ). This is the kind of gardening that I have enjoyed-little haphazard and at times messy. Alys writes in a lovely straightforward style with no complicated technical jargon and I feel like she is writing to me. Since having this book and using a lot of Alys's advice my allotment is now buzzing with wildlife and bountiful produce and flowers. Last year my allotment felt like a chore, now I can't wait spend time there to see what is growing next.
July 28, 2014
So often, gardening books get complicated and/or formulaic; this book isn't either of those things. Alys Fowler's approach feels so natural and the way she writes is so friendly, like she's walking you through her garden and giving you information, recipes, and tips as you go. One other thing I loved: this book is so British! This Anglophile loved phrases about how rhubarb is "a doddle to grow" or the best ways to grow courgettes and aubergines (zucchini and eggplants). Highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from Ms. Fowler.
March 31, 2015
The title of the book kind of explains what this book is all about :). The author, Alys Fowler goes into design elements of planting an edible garden and talks about soil and compost. Then she describes edible plants and how they should be planted (when, where, and with what). At the end she has a section of harvesting your garden with some recipes, which was nice. I thought that the book had some useful information, but I knew a lot of what she said already. Half of the book was probably pictures of her garden and they were inspiring! I would actually rate this a 3.5 stars.
May 24, 2010
It's a little haphazardly organised, with great wandering slabs of text... I wouldn't recommended it as a basic "how to" guide for beginners like me but it a great read if you just like reading good writing about gardening in the same way you might like reading Nigella Lawson cook books for the tasty writing. It's also beautifully designed and I've learned a lot of things and actually put them into practice.
September 23, 2014
Very beautiful book, with great pictures and drawings. The text is also very detailed, and helps those who want to grow a garden on their backyard. If you're thinking about this, I encourage you to read this book.
As a side note, the book was written for people leaving mainly in England, so it might not be a perfect fit if you leave in a tropical country, for example. Still, it has good explanations with the basics of a garden, so it is still a good option for you to learn.
As a side note, the book was written for people leaving mainly in England, so it might not be a perfect fit if you leave in a tropical country, for example. Still, it has good explanations with the basics of a garden, so it is still a good option for you to learn.
December 22, 2014
It's so pretty. Every page is so pretty.
Esthetics out of the way... I found this book really useful. I'm a small garden gardener. My 'garden' is a balcony in an apartment. I found Fowler's book geared towards getting the most produce out of a very small space, or those with a small plot. The follow through with chutney recipes, etc was also really good. I plan on using some of my meagre crop for that next year.
Esthetics out of the way... I found this book really useful. I'm a small garden gardener. My 'garden' is a balcony in an apartment. I found Fowler's book geared towards getting the most produce out of a very small space, or those with a small plot. The follow through with chutney recipes, etc was also really good. I plan on using some of my meagre crop for that next year.
October 23, 2015
Try not to read this book in one sitting and also beware the urge to suddenly order oraches and calendula seeds at midnight (which I did). The best book I've found on edible gardening, with a light touch, beautiful images, grubby fingernails, damson vodka, lavender biscuits and a very cute dog. But real. Or as real as can be. I've always liked AF in the Guardian and this is more of her. Lovely at bedtime.
June 8, 2011
Don't understand why they've changed the title of this book. It's called "The Edible Garden". Is it possible not to like Alys? She's such an inspiration, and makes a nice change from seeing gardeners with acres of land to play with. Practical, beautifully presented and with lovely photos. I've read various books on growing veggies, but found very useful info here which I didn't know.
Currently reading
February 7, 2013So far - Fowler is super knowledgable but the writing here is mostly in huge prose-style chunks. Not going to be easy to reference when it comes to a certain plant, technique or tip. However that does make you read all of it (rather than only read bits relevant to what you're growing) so you can get a bigger picture.
April 21, 2013
Excellent, all-around edible gardening advice for the newbie or seasoned gardener. Preservation ideas abound. Really lovely book. She had a gardening show one can view on You Tube that is excellent also.
September 23, 2013
Would have liked more information on how to stagger planting, harvesting, planning for aesthetics and yields. A very chatty style which was nice but could have done with more specific information than this provided.
July 25, 2014
Great book- wealth of information, very readable, and gorgeous illustrations. A great pick for anyone interested in gardening!
*I have to say I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway but that did not affect my opinion or rating*
*I have to say I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway but that did not affect my opinion or rating*
November 27, 2015
I'm a huge fan of Alys Fowler BBC gardening series : I have her episodes on my YouTube playlist and watch them often. The book is a perfect notebook of the educational videos. I love her suggestions on what to grow Ina small space and how she uses every inch of her property to grow food.
October 3, 2011
New ideas for productive gardening
June 29, 2014
Love this book. Took some of her ideas and turned my boring row veggie garden into a beautiful colorful edible garden and reaping the edible benefits as well as the visual!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews