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Grow Great Vegetables in Washington
Through Washington’s rain or shine, you can grow gorgeous, fresh vegetables!
Grow Great Vegetables in Washington is the must-have guide to growing food in one of our greenest states! Expert gardener Lorene Edwards Forkner shares tips and techniques tailored to The Emerald State, empowering readers with trusted, solid vegetable gardening knowledge. Start off on the best foot in your quest to grow an irresistible, edible bounty year after year with thorough detailing of gardening basics, localized gardening information tailored to each month of the year, handy planting and harvesting charts, and 38 thoughtfully selected and detailed plant profiles. Gardeners of all experience levels will be equipped to feed themselves and their loved ones the freshest fruits and veggies year-round.
Grow Great Vegetables in Washington is the must-have guide to growing food in one of our greenest states! Expert gardener Lorene Edwards Forkner shares tips and techniques tailored to The Emerald State, empowering readers with trusted, solid vegetable gardening knowledge. Start off on the best foot in your quest to grow an irresistible, edible bounty year after year with thorough detailing of gardening basics, localized gardening information tailored to each month of the year, handy planting and harvesting charts, and 38 thoughtfully selected and detailed plant profiles. Gardeners of all experience levels will be equipped to feed themselves and their loved ones the freshest fruits and veggies year-round.
240 pages, Paperback
Published February 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 3, 2025
A Practical, Region-Specific Guide for Washington Gardeners
As a Seattle resident and beginning gardener, I used this book to plant my first vegetable garden in Washington, and it was exactly what I needed. What makes this guide so valuable is that it's written specifically for our state. No more trying to adapt generic advice to the Pacific Northwest climate. Everything here is tailored to our actual growing conditions.
The monthly task lists were a lifesaver for me as a beginner. The "varieties" sections were especially helpful when I was planning and purchasing supplies, breaking down the important differences among seed varieties in a way that made decision-making much less overwhelming.
I also loved the chapter on garden bed design, which goes beyond just layout to cover succession planting, keeping records, and creating a solid plan that works for your specific needs. Forkner presents these foundational topics in a way that feels approachable rather than overwhelming.
I went into this looking for areas that could be improved, but honestly found it genuinely helpful in every way. This is a very high quality book. The season-by-season organization makes it an excellent reference throughout every season. It's a great addition to any PNW gardener's library and would make a wonderful gift for anyone moving to Washington.
I'm grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital advance copy. I'll definitely be picking up a physical copy for my own shelf (and for my gardening friends).
As a Seattle resident and beginning gardener, I used this book to plant my first vegetable garden in Washington, and it was exactly what I needed. What makes this guide so valuable is that it's written specifically for our state. No more trying to adapt generic advice to the Pacific Northwest climate. Everything here is tailored to our actual growing conditions.
The monthly task lists were a lifesaver for me as a beginner. The "varieties" sections were especially helpful when I was planning and purchasing supplies, breaking down the important differences among seed varieties in a way that made decision-making much less overwhelming.
I also loved the chapter on garden bed design, which goes beyond just layout to cover succession planting, keeping records, and creating a solid plan that works for your specific needs. Forkner presents these foundational topics in a way that feels approachable rather than overwhelming.
I went into this looking for areas that could be improved, but honestly found it genuinely helpful in every way. This is a very high quality book. The season-by-season organization makes it an excellent reference throughout every season. It's a great addition to any PNW gardener's library and would make a wonderful gift for anyone moving to Washington.
I'm grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital advance copy. I'll definitely be picking up a physical copy for my own shelf (and for my gardening friends).
November 3, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Timber Press for giving me this ARC for an honest review!
*Grow Great Vegetables in Washington* by Lorene Edwards Forkner is an excellent resource for gardeners in this region. Having lived here for six years and recently starting my gardening journey, I wish I had discovered this book sooner. It serves as the definitive guide for growing food in Washington.
What sets this book apart is its focus on Washington's unique climate, so you won't get lost in generic gardening advice. Forkner offers tips that are tailored to our local conditions, making complex gardening topics easier to understand.
The book is user-friendly, especially with its month-by-month layout. This structure highlights the best times to plant and outlines what to do at each stage, simplifying the planning process. It also covers essential topics like soil preparation and provides clear instructions for both in-ground and container gardening.
Whether you are a beginner or have been gardening for years and are seeking better results, this detailed, local guide is essential. It is the perfect companion for anyone looking to cultivate a productive edible garden in Washington.
*Grow Great Vegetables in Washington* by Lorene Edwards Forkner is an excellent resource for gardeners in this region. Having lived here for six years and recently starting my gardening journey, I wish I had discovered this book sooner. It serves as the definitive guide for growing food in Washington.
What sets this book apart is its focus on Washington's unique climate, so you won't get lost in generic gardening advice. Forkner offers tips that are tailored to our local conditions, making complex gardening topics easier to understand.
The book is user-friendly, especially with its month-by-month layout. This structure highlights the best times to plant and outlines what to do at each stage, simplifying the planning process. It also covers essential topics like soil preparation and provides clear instructions for both in-ground and container gardening.
Whether you are a beginner or have been gardening for years and are seeking better results, this detailed, local guide is essential. It is the perfect companion for anyone looking to cultivate a productive edible garden in Washington.
December 5, 2025
A fantastic book for anyone hoping to begin gardening in the PNW, particularly in the Seattle/Western side of Washington. Loads of information about the climate, what you can expect to grow here (and what you probably cannot grow), and many tips on how to successfully grow vegetables here. I especially liked the month by month calendar, to show what you should be doing in your garden at what time of year. I really wish that I had this book twelve years ago when I moved to Western Snohomish County. It would have saved me much time and heartache! I still managed to pick up several tips and techniques, which really made the book worth it to me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC from netgalley. using the paperback version as a placeholder as the e-versions (kindle) don't have page amounts yet.
interesting and informative, and i'm glad i read it. i would have liked more info specific to my side of the state (central/eastern), but a lot of the information is applicable if the dates and timelines are shifted slightly. great phtography, and the month-by-month to-dos are very helpful.
interesting and informative, and i'm glad i read it. i would have liked more info specific to my side of the state (central/eastern), but a lot of the information is applicable if the dates and timelines are shifted slightly. great phtography, and the month-by-month to-dos are very helpful.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews