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The Comic Book Guide to Growing Food: Step-by-Step Vegetable Gardening for Everyone
The first graphic novel guide to growing a successful vegetable garden, from planning, prepping, and planting, to troubleshooting, care, and harvesting.
Like having your own personal gardening mentor at your side, A Comic Book Guide to Growing Food is the story of Mia, an eager young professional who wants to grow her own vegetables but doesn't know where to start, and George, her retired neighbor who loves gardening and walks her through each step of the process. Throughout the book, "cheat sheets" sum up George's key facts and techniques, providing a handy quick reference for anyone starting their first vegetable garden, including how to find the best location, which vegetables are easiest to grow, how to pick out the healthiest plants at the store, when (and when not) to water, how to protect your plants from pests, and what to do with extra produce if you grow too much.
If you are a visual learner, beginning gardener, looking for something new, or have struggled to grow vegetables in the past, you'll find this unique illustrated format ideal because many gardening concepts--from proper planting techniques to building raised beds--are easier to grasp when presented visually, step by step. Easy and entertaining, A Comic Book Guide to Growing Food makes homegrown vegetables fun and achievable.
Like having your own personal gardening mentor at your side, A Comic Book Guide to Growing Food is the story of Mia, an eager young professional who wants to grow her own vegetables but doesn't know where to start, and George, her retired neighbor who loves gardening and walks her through each step of the process. Throughout the book, "cheat sheets" sum up George's key facts and techniques, providing a handy quick reference for anyone starting their first vegetable garden, including how to find the best location, which vegetables are easiest to grow, how to pick out the healthiest plants at the store, when (and when not) to water, how to protect your plants from pests, and what to do with extra produce if you grow too much.
If you are a visual learner, beginning gardener, looking for something new, or have struggled to grow vegetables in the past, you'll find this unique illustrated format ideal because many gardening concepts--from proper planting techniques to building raised beds--are easier to grasp when presented visually, step by step. Easy and entertaining, A Comic Book Guide to Growing Food makes homegrown vegetables fun and achievable.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2021
17 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Tychonievich
4 books4 followersJoseph Tychonievich gardens in his Williamsburg, Virginia yard. And in a friends yard. And with lights in his closet. He pretends that this is necessary research to write his books and magazine articles about gardening. Thankfully his husband accepts this, and the unpredictable deluges of vegetables he grows, with grace. Joseph is the author of several books including The Comic Book Guide to Growing Food: Step-by-Step Vegetable Gardening for Everyone and Rock Gardening: Reimagining a Classic Style. He is the editor of the North American Rock Garden Society quarterly journal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
February 26, 2021
This book is a wonderful, beautifully illustrated and very informative gardening guide!
As some of you may know, I’ve been tending a little container garden on my balcony for the past few years, and its the highlight of my spring, as well as an ongoing joy through the entire growing season. But even with a few years of playing in the dirt under my belt, I still feel like I have a lot to learn, and while this book may be targeting gardening newbies, I think it probably has something for everyone interested in the topic!
The comic book format is charming, and sets it up not as an instruction manual, but as a friendly conversation between two neighbors, George and Mia. George is a seasoned gardener with a technological problem, and Mia works with computers but kills all the plants, so they end up helping each other out with their respective challenges.
From choosing where to set up your garden to picking plants from the nursery, getting your soil tested, building raised beds and handling pests; everything you need to know to set up a beautiful and bountiful garden is covered by George’s wise advice and Mia’s experimenting. The illustrations are beautiful and clear, so visual learners can pick up the ideas quickly.
I loved this book, which made me look forward to spring even more than I already did! For all gardening fiends and comic book fans!
As some of you may know, I’ve been tending a little container garden on my balcony for the past few years, and its the highlight of my spring, as well as an ongoing joy through the entire growing season. But even with a few years of playing in the dirt under my belt, I still feel like I have a lot to learn, and while this book may be targeting gardening newbies, I think it probably has something for everyone interested in the topic!
The comic book format is charming, and sets it up not as an instruction manual, but as a friendly conversation between two neighbors, George and Mia. George is a seasoned gardener with a technological problem, and Mia works with computers but kills all the plants, so they end up helping each other out with their respective challenges.
From choosing where to set up your garden to picking plants from the nursery, getting your soil tested, building raised beds and handling pests; everything you need to know to set up a beautiful and bountiful garden is covered by George’s wise advice and Mia’s experimenting. The illustrations are beautiful and clear, so visual learners can pick up the ideas quickly.
I loved this book, which made me look forward to spring even more than I already did! For all gardening fiends and comic book fans!
August 7, 2024
Am I about to cry over a gardening comic book? Mind your business. Why was there so much character growth 😭😭😭
April 10, 2024
This is a book I wished existed back in the 1970’s when I was a kid.
It is a great start for people who want to take up farming and gardening who are visual learners. This book even has cheat sheets that can be copied and carried in your field bag/apron/tote/etc.
After reading this book, you might have caught the digging in the dirt bug.
It is a great start for people who want to take up farming and gardening who are visual learners. This book even has cheat sheets that can be copied and carried in your field bag/apron/tote/etc.
After reading this book, you might have caught the digging in the dirt bug.
May 30, 2021
I'm going to buy it!
February 27, 2021
This is a fantastic start up guide to gardening. I only wish I’d had it eight years ago when I inherited a giant garden and got overly ambitious and only realized later how hard gardening can be if you don’t start small, simple, and with guaranteed winners. Must read if you want to start gardening but you want a hand to hold.
November 29, 2022
This book is such a perfect fit for the teen Longwood Community read. It's funny and such a great introduction to the world of gardening. As I read it I was like "oh I should write this down" or even more "ohhh that's why my plants keep dying." I wish I had a neighbor like George.
Now I can't wait to make a program to teach teens how to do some window farming!!
Now I can't wait to make a program to teach teens how to do some window farming!!
February 2, 2021
This is an excellent book. Perfect for anyone wanting to start a vegetable garden. Written by an expert. I red the copy from my library but had to purchase my own copy as it has such valuble information in it that will help me with gardening in the future.
March 17, 2022
Baby beginner gardeners this book is for us!!
Another golden find from randomly browsing the Library shelves, this graphic novel is the perfect primer for anyone dreaming of gardening for the first time.
The book follows the story of George, a garden enthusiast, guiding his young neighbor, Mia, into each step of the gardening journey.
I loved how easily digestible the book was, breaking down big concepts into bite-sized pieces I could easily follow. If you're a visual learner, this illustrated book is full of "cheat sheet" infographics that really make gardening seem achievable and fun, rather than overwhelming and daunting.
A really inspiring and informative book!
Another golden find from randomly browsing the Library shelves, this graphic novel is the perfect primer for anyone dreaming of gardening for the first time.
The book follows the story of George, a garden enthusiast, guiding his young neighbor, Mia, into each step of the gardening journey.
I loved how easily digestible the book was, breaking down big concepts into bite-sized pieces I could easily follow. If you're a visual learner, this illustrated book is full of "cheat sheet" infographics that really make gardening seem achievable and fun, rather than overwhelming and daunting.
A really inspiring and informative book!
October 4, 2022
A fun and helpful graphic novel!
August 29, 2021
So inspiring!! ❤️
September 12, 2022
I'm real bad at plants. Once, I had these cute little succulents in these pretty tea tins. They lived for a while. But then one of them started looking sad, so I watered it, and then it looked sadder so I watered it some more, and apparently that was the wrong choice.
But I still love the idea of growing vegetables even though I am totally intimidated by all things outdoors. I mean, our current house is the first time I've ever even consistently weeded the flowerbeds that were already there. Progress? ...
Anyway, this was a charming comic featuring George, an older avid gardener, and Mia, his next door neighbor who is probably a millennial, who is so pumped about growing stuff but knows nothing except stuff she's found on the internet. Together, they walk through choosing plants, making sure you have the right environment for growing, and all sorts of things (all of which George tells Mia are the "number one rule of gardening!"). It seemed ... like maybe it wouldn't be so hard to grow a few things in the spring? The people who lived here before had a small in-ground bed plus some fence thingies for herbs, but it's all overgrown and not pretty right now, so my work might be cut out for me, but this gave me hope, and it was fun and funny to read.
But I still love the idea of growing vegetables even though I am totally intimidated by all things outdoors. I mean, our current house is the first time I've ever even consistently weeded the flowerbeds that were already there. Progress? ...
Anyway, this was a charming comic featuring George, an older avid gardener, and Mia, his next door neighbor who is probably a millennial, who is so pumped about growing stuff but knows nothing except stuff she's found on the internet. Together, they walk through choosing plants, making sure you have the right environment for growing, and all sorts of things (all of which George tells Mia are the "number one rule of gardening!"). It seemed ... like maybe it wouldn't be so hard to grow a few things in the spring? The people who lived here before had a small in-ground bed plus some fence thingies for herbs, but it's all overgrown and not pretty right now, so my work might be cut out for me, but this gave me hope, and it was fun and funny to read.
February 16, 2021
Graphic novel nonfiction. I am not a beginner gardener, but I do love always reading and learning more about gardening. This book was a quick read and packed with information. Mia is a young adult who lives by herself and is inspired to start a garden after a conversation with her elderly neighbor George. George takes Mia under his wing, passing along years worth of gardening knowledge. Mia, for her part is an eager student but also harnesses the power of her phone and the Internet. Together they take Mia's yard from barren to productive, with 4 raised beds and an assortment of containers. Some of the topics covered include: determining how many hours of sun a spot in the yard gets, soil testing, building your own raised beds, the benefits of growing herbs and flowers alongside vegetables, sowing seeds, and more. One of the things I found interesting was the idea of root pruning-- when transplanting a plant that has its roots all tangled up in the shape of the former container, it may grow better if the roots are actually snipped so they are more able to reach out into the soil. A helpful guide, with great index of the informative pages and additional resources in the back matter.
April 10, 2022
Absolutely LOVED this guide!! I am completely overwhelmed by the idea of gardening and this book really helped to break it down! I should be able to apply a few things this year as I'm growing tomatoes for the first time (thanks to a knit night friend for giving me some that she had started from seeds!!) When I have the space for a garden of my own, I will definitely be buying this gorgeous book to help me out!
March 19, 2021
This was a great way to learn information about gardening. I am a visual learner so the fact that this was in graphic novel form helped me absorb the topic. I can't wait to refer back to it this summer while gardening. This book has cheat sheets throughout that are so easy to grasp! Made me excited for spring.
May 17, 2021
The Comic Book Guide to Growing Food: Step-By-Step Vegetable Gardening for Everyone is an absolute adorable book. It tells the story of Mia who gets to know her retired neighbour George (helping him with a computer problem). Interested in setting up her garden but lacking the knowledge, Mia finds in George a wonderful guide. The book is perfect for everyone starting gardening as George talks Mia through her first season with hers: from finding the best spot for growing plants, soil testing, choosing the right kinds of plants, buying plants, and maintaining your garden.
The illustration style is very cute and the dialogue not only informative but also often funny. Throughout the book there are also “cheat sheets” summing up handy infos you can easily come back to. But even if you are not currently gardening and have no plot of land to do so in the near future (like me, I just “garden” in my kitchen :D), it is still just such a nice read. I learned a lot and it warmed my heart.
The illustration style is very cute and the dialogue not only informative but also often funny. Throughout the book there are also “cheat sheets” summing up handy infos you can easily come back to. But even if you are not currently gardening and have no plot of land to do so in the near future (like me, I just “garden” in my kitchen :D), it is still just such a nice read. I learned a lot and it warmed my heart.
March 26, 2022
a great, easy-to-read guide full of good information. it's a quick read, but also has plenty of tables, charts, lists of further reading, and websites to check out. the framing of two neighbors learning from each other is cute and makes otherwise dry information into a fun conversation.
January 31, 2023
This would make a wonderful gift tucked into a garden tool bag for the beginner gardener. It is a beautifully illustrated graphic book full of excellent information that will not intimidate a gardener wanna be.
September 14, 2025
This is such a helpful guide! I’ve been wanting to start gardening, but had no idea where to even start. This gives me all the baby steps I need to get going. I also appreciate how it covers raised bed gardening and container gardening. The notes/references in the back are gold!
April 25, 2021
Cute and helpful to start. I wish I had read this earlier!
June 16, 2021
Ok, this is adorable. Grumpy gardener neighbor can’t use his computer and tech-savvy young neighbor needs a meaningful hobby. Besides the fun graphic novel format and helpful Cheat Sheets, their dynamic as neighbors and friends is so sweet. George has like 37 “#1 rule of gardening”s and every now and then Mia saves the day with her trusty smart phone. Read it from the library and had to buy my own copy.
September 30, 2024
Bro is obsessed with zinnias
May 21, 2025
This made reading about gardening exciting and fun.
Do you know the #1 rule to gardening?☝️
Do you know the #1 rule to gardening?☝️
July 21, 2022
This was so informative and well done
February 17, 2023
Incredibly helpful as a beginner. This made gardening feel accessible and realistic.
March 22, 2023
Incredibly useful information and a very sweet story.
March 22, 2021
Super cute, informative, full of great information for novice gardeners.
August 5, 2021
Such a delightful read and a fun way to learn about gardening! Warm and charming art, a sweet framing story, and a surprisingly thorough overview of things for beginners to consider. Having jumped in with our own vegetable garden this year, I found myself wishing that I had this book to help make things seem less overwhelming and focus on how much fun it can be.
The highlight for me was the well-written/well-designed “cheat sheets” interspersed throughout the book (everything from “when to plant what” to “how to root prune” to “what to check each week”), all organized in a helpful index to jump straight to these pages. Really enjoyed this; I learned a lot and feel even more inspired.
The highlight for me was the well-written/well-designed “cheat sheets” interspersed throughout the book (everything from “when to plant what” to “how to root prune” to “what to check each week”), all organized in a helpful index to jump straight to these pages. Really enjoyed this; I learned a lot and feel even more inspired.
June 3, 2021
An encouraging resource for someone who wants to start a garden and is intimated by the undertaking. Full of helpful tips that guide you to success, and resources for more information.
April 23, 2025
Excellent guide for (hopefully near) future reference.
March 10, 2022
As a novice gardener, I found this book to be a fun and easy read! It was super informative and it kept feelings of overwhelm at bay. Would definitely recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews