The Kitchen Gardener: Grow Your Own Fruit and Veg

by Alan Titchmarsh

Allotments with 10-year waiting lists; fruit and veg seeds outselling those of flowers—Britain is growing a passion for home produce and the time is right for the nation's favorite gardener to provide the definitive book on the subject. Alan’s comprehensive guide will tell you everything you could possibly want or need to know about fruit and veg and how to grow it, including herbs, baby veg, salads, every-day fruits, plus gourmet or unusual varieties, and how to fit them into today’s stylish small gardens. As well as providing the key facts needed to yield good results and what to do when things go wrong, the text is sprinkled with Alan’s personal observations, anecdotes, culinary tips, and quirky historical uses. The book takes a very practical approach, starting from scratch for the benefit of anyone who’s never grown their own before, but is also ideal for those with some experience who might be growing edibles in a new way—perhaps in a small space that needs to look attractive, or on a new allotment. Lavishly illustrated throughout with over 250 photographs and artworks, this inspirational and authoritative fruit and veg bible from the UK’s best-selling and most influential gardener will become a classic in the genre.

Genres: Gardening, Cookbooks, Reference, Nonfiction

312 pages, Hardcover

First published March 6, 2008

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall very useful, though I do have a few gripes on some decisions re: organisation of the sections. Also a few types of crop which I felt were unfairly left out (sweet potato?). However as I say, overall a very good resource for someone looking to really get stuck in growing their own food. Even specific details for various types of grow locations, I.e. container vs allotment vs traditional plot.

[Saffron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of information passed across in Alan's humorous way, I could not help but read this with his Yorkshire accent playing in my head!

There is a guide on what to do throughout the year and a directory of the majority of popular fruit, veg, herbs and nuts that are grown in the UK, with helpful planting and growing tips, without getting bogged down with minor detail.

A reference to be used over again.

[Kaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a treasure trove of advice and an A-Z about anything you can plant. A fantastic resource for my allotment!!!

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Titchmarsh really annoys the crap out of me on the telly but this book is good so far... sensible and practical.