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How to Grow Your Dinner Without Leaving the House
How to Grow Your Dinner Without Leaving the House by Claire Ratinon is an accessible and joyful guide to growing your own food – even in the smallest of spaces.
A vegetable garden is not an option for everyone, and container growing has become a go-to for people with limited outside space. In this fascinating new book, urban food growing expert, Claire Ratinon covers all the essentials of growing a range of organic edible plants from home, even with just a windowsill, hanging basket or balcony to work with.
Whether the goal is to grow flavourful tomatoes, edible flowers, potatoes, mushrooms, microgreens or courgettes, Claire provides easy-to-follow instructions, accompanied by beautiful photographs that will inspire and guide the reader. With a focus on growing organically, this book includes:
• Planning your growing season
• Sowing seeds and raising strong seedlings
• Tools and materials
• Small-scale composting
• Companion planting and much more
How to Grow Your Dinner is the perfect book for anyone seeking a more sustainable lifestyle and wanting to grow delicious organic food in small spaces.
About the author
Claire Ratinon is an organic food grower and has grown edible plants in a range of roles from growing crops for Ottolenghi’s restaurant, Rovi to delivering growing workshops throughout London to audiences including schools, community centres and for corporate clients. Claire has been invited to share her growing journey and experiences in writing, talks and workshops for organisations including The Garden Museum, the Royal College of Art and Waitrose Food Magazine, Bloom and The Modern House as well as having presented features for BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time.
A vegetable garden is not an option for everyone, and container growing has become a go-to for people with limited outside space. In this fascinating new book, urban food growing expert, Claire Ratinon covers all the essentials of growing a range of organic edible plants from home, even with just a windowsill, hanging basket or balcony to work with.
Whether the goal is to grow flavourful tomatoes, edible flowers, potatoes, mushrooms, microgreens or courgettes, Claire provides easy-to-follow instructions, accompanied by beautiful photographs that will inspire and guide the reader. With a focus on growing organically, this book includes:
• Planning your growing season
• Sowing seeds and raising strong seedlings
• Tools and materials
• Small-scale composting
• Companion planting and much more
How to Grow Your Dinner is the perfect book for anyone seeking a more sustainable lifestyle and wanting to grow delicious organic food in small spaces.
About the author
Claire Ratinon is an organic food grower and has grown edible plants in a range of roles from growing crops for Ottolenghi’s restaurant, Rovi to delivering growing workshops throughout London to audiences including schools, community centres and for corporate clients. Claire has been invited to share her growing journey and experiences in writing, talks and workshops for organisations including The Garden Museum, the Royal College of Art and Waitrose Food Magazine, Bloom and The Modern House as well as having presented features for BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time.
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Published August 27, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 2, 2021
*ARC received from Netgalley in return for an honest review*
With the fact that I'm just starting to think about growing my own garden, I thought maybe this book was for me. I am also one who has been known to kill plants in the past so I want to know everything I can before trying out a serious garden. This book was perfect for me.
It is laid out in a very simple manner that makes the information easy to digest. The sections are set up in a logical order to take you from the very beginning of gathering tools and planning to germination, replating, and harvesting. And it is all written so that even I, the killer of most plants, feel confident enough to even try.
This is a book that will be permanently on my bookshelf and a reference tool.
With the fact that I'm just starting to think about growing my own garden, I thought maybe this book was for me. I am also one who has been known to kill plants in the past so I want to know everything I can before trying out a serious garden. This book was perfect for me.
It is laid out in a very simple manner that makes the information easy to digest. The sections are set up in a logical order to take you from the very beginning of gathering tools and planning to germination, replating, and harvesting. And it is all written so that even I, the killer of most plants, feel confident enough to even try.
This is a book that will be permanently on my bookshelf and a reference tool.
September 21, 2020
Basic gardening information for the absolute beginner, especially suited to urban gardeners. This is a British book, so the plants profiled are best suited for the UK and moderate US gardens (also uses UK names for some plants like what we Americans call eggplant and zucchini). Not a complete guide, and doesn't go into things like frost dates and such, but good general overview for what to expect when you start out, general seed starting, container gardening, pests and profiles of general plants and some mushrooms.
Review copy via Net Galley.
Review copy via Net Galley.
August 25, 2020
Beautiful and full of info!
I really enjoyed this book, and it makes the idea of 'growing your own' very easy. It explains things incredibly well, and the photographs also help with instructions and as a useful guide/example.
It's not a particularly long book but there is a lot of content there!
The reason I haven't given 5* is because of the layout of the book. It lists various plants/veg/fruit but there is no real structure to the order. I personally would have preferred it if they were in order of seasons to plant. It would have been great to include a table or wheel diagram to show when to sow and when to harvest particular plants. Having all of that info in one diagram/image would have been very beneficial and would have personally helped me suss out my planting plan.
I really enjoyed this book, and it makes the idea of 'growing your own' very easy. It explains things incredibly well, and the photographs also help with instructions and as a useful guide/example.
It's not a particularly long book but there is a lot of content there!
The reason I haven't given 5* is because of the layout of the book. It lists various plants/veg/fruit but there is no real structure to the order. I personally would have preferred it if they were in order of seasons to plant. It would have been great to include a table or wheel diagram to show when to sow and when to harvest particular plants. Having all of that info in one diagram/image would have been very beneficial and would have personally helped me suss out my planting plan.
February 18, 2021
Short & sweet, to the point guide to growing edible plants (and mushrooms!) in containers. I used to learn by doing but the book has upped my game in a non-overwhelming way.
Many thanks to Pista for the bday present 💚
Many thanks to Pista for the bday present 💚
April 22, 2022
Good content.
However: White space is a good idea, but not when it requires the entire text of the book to be set in tiny type. It's possible my old eyes are biased, but I really had trouble reading through this one.
This is despite the fact that it's got solid-looking plant profiles on growing salad leaves, chiles and peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, peas, beans, radishes, potatoes, beets, zucchinis, annual herbs, perennial herbs, edible flowers, microgreens, & mushrooms.
Information about setting up worm composting, starting seeds, repotting seedlings, and plant care is also included.
While I feel a bit skeptical about growing some of these indoors, out on a sunny balcony I could see it working. The profiles are illustrated with photos of these plants in containers, so I feel reassured that someone did get these plants to grow in pots at least for the photos.
Though this is a UK book, there's a minimum of UK-specific terminology so most readers won't notice. There's also a clear and reassuring tone, which is important.
However: White space is a good idea, but not when it requires the entire text of the book to be set in tiny type. It's possible my old eyes are biased, but I really had trouble reading through this one.
This is despite the fact that it's got solid-looking plant profiles on growing salad leaves, chiles and peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, peas, beans, radishes, potatoes, beets, zucchinis, annual herbs, perennial herbs, edible flowers, microgreens, & mushrooms.
Information about setting up worm composting, starting seeds, repotting seedlings, and plant care is also included.
While I feel a bit skeptical about growing some of these indoors, out on a sunny balcony I could see it working. The profiles are illustrated with photos of these plants in containers, so I feel reassured that someone did get these plants to grow in pots at least for the photos.
Though this is a UK book, there's a minimum of UK-specific terminology so most readers won't notice. There's also a clear and reassuring tone, which is important.
January 7, 2022
Beautiful pictures - I wish there were fewer artistic shots and more instructional, but overall a fair amount of useful information. I did find the title a little misleading, however, as I was expecting at least a section of the text to be dedicated to indoor growing. This is meant for small space container growing, primarily on a patio or balcony.
September 16, 2020
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is an interesting book!
There's information on indoor growing of edible plants. It's not super organized, I was expecting something by plant or season. I was also expecting more specifics from the book. There's information if you want to grow tomatoes or herbs but not a lot of other variety.
There's information about growing plants from seeds or starts. Some of it talks about about transplanting the plants to outdoors so the book isn't specifically for growing a plant inside for its lifecycle.
It's a helpful beginners guide for getting started with indoor growing but not an intensive guide.
This is an interesting book!
There's information on indoor growing of edible plants. It's not super organized, I was expecting something by plant or season. I was also expecting more specifics from the book. There's information if you want to grow tomatoes or herbs but not a lot of other variety.
There's information about growing plants from seeds or starts. Some of it talks about about transplanting the plants to outdoors so the book isn't specifically for growing a plant inside for its lifecycle.
It's a helpful beginners guide for getting started with indoor growing but not an intensive guide.
August 26, 2020
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
How to Grow Your Dinner Without Leaving the House is a fascinating and useful resource for container growing edible plants no matter what one's resources and space considerations. Due out 27th Aug 2020 from Laurence King Publishing, it's 128 pages and will be available in flexibound format.
I was surprised how much info I gleaned from this volume as well as how many usable bits of info were appropriate to my uses (despite having access to a large outdoor vegetable gardening area for the gardening season). The layout is accessible and logical. The introductory chapters cover some background (why grow vegetables indoors), planning (what should readers specifically grow), finding and using space efficiently, getting started, and some troubleshooting. The following chapters cover planting, transplanting seedlings into containers, maintaining plants and regular culture, troubleshooting, an herbal full of plants to grow and their specific culture requirements, and seasonal growing and space efficiency.
Full of specific advice for the challenging indoors culture of plants, this is an ideal book for people who either don't have access to more traditional growing platforms, or choose to extend the season indoors, or garden indoors year round (apartment dwellers and urban folks). A lot of the info will be useful to traditional gardeners as well who want to up their indoor gardening game. This volume is really full of interesting and useful tips and tricks. Photography and instructions are clear and easy to follow and understand. Especially important info is highlighted in text boxes in the sidebars. The book includes a cross referenced index.
Four stars. Well written and useful. Do I think that readers are going to be able to make a significant contribution to their vegetable intake? No, not really in practical terms. Do I think it's a valuable and worthwhile exercise -especially- with kids and -especially- in the current stressful climate of uncertainty with a pandemic and other social and cultural upheavals? Absolutely! Anything that gives us any semblance of control and even a small feeling of food security is invaluable.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
How to Grow Your Dinner Without Leaving the House is a fascinating and useful resource for container growing edible plants no matter what one's resources and space considerations. Due out 27th Aug 2020 from Laurence King Publishing, it's 128 pages and will be available in flexibound format.
I was surprised how much info I gleaned from this volume as well as how many usable bits of info were appropriate to my uses (despite having access to a large outdoor vegetable gardening area for the gardening season). The layout is accessible and logical. The introductory chapters cover some background (why grow vegetables indoors), planning (what should readers specifically grow), finding and using space efficiently, getting started, and some troubleshooting. The following chapters cover planting, transplanting seedlings into containers, maintaining plants and regular culture, troubleshooting, an herbal full of plants to grow and their specific culture requirements, and seasonal growing and space efficiency.
Full of specific advice for the challenging indoors culture of plants, this is an ideal book for people who either don't have access to more traditional growing platforms, or choose to extend the season indoors, or garden indoors year round (apartment dwellers and urban folks). A lot of the info will be useful to traditional gardeners as well who want to up their indoor gardening game. This volume is really full of interesting and useful tips and tricks. Photography and instructions are clear and easy to follow and understand. Especially important info is highlighted in text boxes in the sidebars. The book includes a cross referenced index.
Four stars. Well written and useful. Do I think that readers are going to be able to make a significant contribution to their vegetable intake? No, not really in practical terms. Do I think it's a valuable and worthwhile exercise -especially- with kids and -especially- in the current stressful climate of uncertainty with a pandemic and other social and cultural upheavals? Absolutely! Anything that gives us any semblance of control and even a small feeling of food security is invaluable.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
November 5, 2020
How to Grow your Dinner is a starter gardening book on how to grow vegetables, herbs, edible flowers and mushrooms in your own small space, especially on a balcony.
It explains how to sow the seeds and raise the plants, plus how to put them in containers and what type of compost to use. Also included are details of how to take care of the plants and about seasonal planting. The book also covers the basics such as light, water, temperature and what equipment you would need.
Taking care of your plants, provides details on how to support plants, deal with pests, watering and feeding the plants plus how to set up a wormery.
The chapter on plant profiles provides details on different vegetables and when and how to start them off, plant them on, how to look after them, harvesting and overwintering if required.
Whilst this book is aimed at a small garden area or balcony you need to consider that the plants need to start off somewhere warm, so you will probably need room indoors for your seedlings.
I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.
It explains how to sow the seeds and raise the plants, plus how to put them in containers and what type of compost to use. Also included are details of how to take care of the plants and about seasonal planting. The book also covers the basics such as light, water, temperature and what equipment you would need.
Taking care of your plants, provides details on how to support plants, deal with pests, watering and feeding the plants plus how to set up a wormery.
The chapter on plant profiles provides details on different vegetables and when and how to start them off, plant them on, how to look after them, harvesting and overwintering if required.
Whilst this book is aimed at a small garden area or balcony you need to consider that the plants need to start off somewhere warm, so you will probably need room indoors for your seedlings.
I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.
May 3, 2025
This book gives basic information and instructions on how to grow edibles. I’m impressed by its instructions on building a wormery, which looks like a minor topic, but the author brought it up.
Some of its content can be more in-depth. For example, I wish this book could introduce more methods than just a single one. For example, in the chapter How to sow seeds, it only introduces using a module tray with special seed-sowing compost to start seeds. In comparison, the book How to Garden Indoors & Grow Your Own Food Year Around introduces several different methods, including using a flat tray, paper egg cartons, or just a pot container. For beginners, this provides great alternatives for them to use what they might already have and helps them save money and resources.
I also wish this book had more pictures. In plant profiles, there are a lot more pictures. But in many places, for example, in different kinds of plant diseases, more pictures can really help readers with diagnosis. Right now, there’s only one picture for most sections.
Some of its content can be more in-depth. For example, I wish this book could introduce more methods than just a single one. For example, in the chapter How to sow seeds, it only introduces using a module tray with special seed-sowing compost to start seeds. In comparison, the book How to Garden Indoors & Grow Your Own Food Year Around introduces several different methods, including using a flat tray, paper egg cartons, or just a pot container. For beginners, this provides great alternatives for them to use what they might already have and helps them save money and resources.
I also wish this book had more pictures. In plant profiles, there are a lot more pictures. But in many places, for example, in different kinds of plant diseases, more pictures can really help readers with diagnosis. Right now, there’s only one picture for most sections.
November 9, 2020
It's got everything you need to know and consider, to make your dream garden a reality, no matter how small your living area. It starts off with the basics of growing , planning your area and ends with further approaches to maximize your time, effort and space. I really love the tip about how to keep birds and pests away from your plants. Plus, microgreens! I've always wanted to try my hand at growing those green things. I'm in awe of the people behind this book; for such a short read, it packs quite a punch!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Laurence King Publishing Ltd for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Laurence King Publishing Ltd for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
August 25, 2020
**I received an e-ARC from NetGalley for an honest review**
I've been growing tomato plants for years, but I still find it hit and miss on whether or not I'll have any to harvest. This book helped me to see where I was going wrong! The writing is plain and easy to read without speaking down to the reader, unlike a lot of gardening books I've read.
I've always wanted to save seeds but I've never had the opportunity. This book lays it out and makes it seem like it might be time to give it a try.
Overall, I found the book to be incredibly helpful, and hope to be able to buy several copies to hand out for Christmas and birthday presents this year!
I've been growing tomato plants for years, but I still find it hit and miss on whether or not I'll have any to harvest. This book helped me to see where I was going wrong! The writing is plain and easy to read without speaking down to the reader, unlike a lot of gardening books I've read.
I've always wanted to save seeds but I've never had the opportunity. This book lays it out and makes it seem like it might be time to give it a try.
Overall, I found the book to be incredibly helpful, and hope to be able to buy several copies to hand out for Christmas and birthday presents this year!
February 22, 2023
3.75/5 I really like how organized and concise the information is in this book. I loaned it from the library but may buy my own copy. There isn't a lot of straightforward information on container gardening out there, so I quite appreciate the quality of information in this book. However, I am disappointed by some of the images. I wish there had been visual examples with annotations. I was especially disappointed that there weren't any photos of the wormery, or how to differentiate between fruit-bearing flowers and pollen-producing flowers.
Overall, great info. Would recommend to other urban homesteaders.
Overall, great info. Would recommend to other urban homesteaders.
September 26, 2020
While I would have liked to have seen ore of the nitty-gritty details and more information on out-there choices for a container garden, such as pumpkins, this was still a good book to use to get started, and the photographs included are very inspiring.
Full review here.
Full review here.
March 4, 2021
This is a stylish, bite-sized volume that offers a great variety of information about small-space vegetable gardening. It doesn't cover every possible vegetable or detail, but it gives a fantastic introduction in an easy-to-digest package. I won't hesitate to recommend this to budding gardeners in my life.
August 27, 2020
Very nice book about how to grow some veggies that we use everyday. I've grown some herbs, tomatoes and green peppers and I'll be using the book to grow some other veggies as well. I received a free digital copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.
February 13, 2024
Read this. It's just OK. Maybe best for those without any experience. I was hopeful it was going to tell me how to grow things indoors, but more container growing on balcony type gardening. A few good tips. I will take them and try to remember them.
August 24, 2021
Lovely pictures and decent advice.
March 17, 2022
Excellent book although it is very basic information.
May 29, 2023
beautiful photography plus loaded with useful and practical information!!
July 27, 2023
A little simplistic but a good resource for the absolute beginner.
June 25, 2025
an excellent foundation for anyone new to gardening and want to learn the basics
July 14, 2024
I reread this before returning it to the library, praise of the highest order.
***
We may live on 5 acres, but possums attack our plants even through netting, so there is only a very small "safe" area at the front of our house! This is where we grow vegies in pots, so this slim book was perfect.
I thought it articulated the basics very well and in a chatty way, so it wasn't boring even when telling me what I already knew. I liked the focus on unusual varieties, and the layout was beautiful (although other reviewers have found the print too small).
I would have liked to see mention of the Rocoto chilli during the discussion of Overwintering chillies, as this variety tolerates frost/can be perennial and can grow in pots.
Some interesting things were:
-don't water baby plants with cold water straight from the tap, tepid is better
-if you don't have bees around, you can pollinate your plants with an electric toothbrush
-most plants prefer to graduate into increasingly bigger pots, instead of straight into a large one
-starting pea or bean seedlings in toilet roll tubes.
NB: This book is specific to the northern hemisphere, so swap "south-facing" with "north-facing" if you live in the southern hemisphere.
***
We may live on 5 acres, but possums attack our plants even through netting, so there is only a very small "safe" area at the front of our house! This is where we grow vegies in pots, so this slim book was perfect.
I thought it articulated the basics very well and in a chatty way, so it wasn't boring even when telling me what I already knew. I liked the focus on unusual varieties, and the layout was beautiful (although other reviewers have found the print too small).
I would have liked to see mention of the Rocoto chilli during the discussion of Overwintering chillies, as this variety tolerates frost/can be perennial and can grow in pots.
Some interesting things were:
-don't water baby plants with cold water straight from the tap, tepid is better
-if you don't have bees around, you can pollinate your plants with an electric toothbrush
-most plants prefer to graduate into increasingly bigger pots, instead of straight into a large one
-starting pea or bean seedlings in toilet roll tubes.
NB: This book is specific to the northern hemisphere, so swap "south-facing" with "north-facing" if you live in the southern hemisphere.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews