Between the chapters are gardening tips on how best to grow various vegetables
937406
The main character, Lilian, has recently lost her husband to a tragic accident and her sister and others are encouraging her to get out and circulate a bit. She joins a gardening class with her sister and they meet on a regular basis. There are a wide variety of relationships that develop among the members of the group some of which are romantic. Between the chapters are gardening tips on how best to grow various vegetables. This is a somewhat frivolous puff piece that is entertaining.
837108
We've decided to grow our own vegetables and herbs that are either our favorites or aren't always available where we live.  This and several other books we purchased were a great help.  Now if the 'endless series' of typhoons would let up, our modest but burgeoning garden will eventually yield the bounty this book helped us get started!
3036796
This book is a simple guide to implementing this method of gardening. Handy format for referencing information as you need it. Can't wait for the weather to clear!
2967036
The pictures and intsructions are so helpful.  My parents always had a big garden when I was growing up but I didn't really pay attention at the time.  This books helps with everything I needed for a backyard vegetable garden.
4477986
The book is composed of three main sections. The first section has 104 pages of garden advice and technique: 26 pages are on soil discussions, bed preparations, and maintenance factors. 12 pages on planting techniques, mulching, and fertilizing. 10 pages on pests and disease. 56 pages on pruning, deadheading, thinning, staking, division and seeding.
The second section is an encyclopedia of 179 perennials (about 100 pages). Each perennial is described by growing zone, common name, scientific name, size, and flowering season. Each plant contains a paragraph or two about pruning, maintenance, and related plants. The majority of the plants listed grow in zones 4-8.
The third section of 50 pages contains the appendix, glossary, and index. Information covers 4 pages on ornamental grasses, 8 pages on monthly maintenance planning (broken down by what to do each month), 36 lists of recommended perennials for specific growing conditions, USDA zone map, 5 page glossary, 2 page bibliography, and a 13 page index by plant name.
The book also includes informative photographs. 64 full color pages of garden designs, techniques, and planting ideas. Each picture is captioned by a descriptive comment identifying what technique or characteristic is being shown in the photograph.
This is a great book for the beginning gardener, and even the garden expert might learn a thing or two. It contains clearly described gardening techniques, maintenance advice, planting recommendations, an encyclopedia of common perennials, photographs and a glossary. The book is filled with solid information and comments gained from garden experience. No fluff here.
An excellent garden technique book. Especially useful for the beginning perennial gardener. A great buy!
384719
HEIRLOOM VEGETABLES by Benjamin Watson is a good starting point if you are interested in growing historic varieties of seed.  Opening with an explanation of heirloom vegetables, it also touches base on organic control of pests and diseases.  In deference to what another reviewer wrote, pages 7-13 supply you with basic seed-saving practices.  Of course, there are several great books if you are looking for in-depth information such as Nancy Bubel's THE NEW SEED STARTERS HANDBOOK or Carol Deppe's BREED YOUR OWN VEGETABLE VARIETIES.

'The Plant Gallery' includes clear and colorful portraits that help you to identify some one-hundred-plus garden vegetables that are available for you to grow.  I have tried many of these and Mr. Watson does a fantastic job of showing you what they look like.  It helps that many of the consultants to this reference encompass a large area of expertise and are authors of their own books.

Another section is devoted to each vegetable with a short description, brief instructions on how to grow and harvest it and pests and diseases to be aware of.  The author recommends varieties for you to consider.  Some are found elsewhere in the book and others are not.

There is a good selection of mail order seed sources listed at the back.  Seed Savers Exchange is one of the best.  I encourage everyone to join this fantastic group of people committed to saving a part of our heritage.  As always use the internet to rate the sites.  HEIRLOOM VEGETABLES was published in 1996 so some businesses may not be as good as before or have closed.  Two great companies that were not listed that I have personally ordered from in the past five years are Sand Hill Preservation Center and Baker Creek Heirlooms.  Lastly, the author gives you some excellent works to read, many of which should be found at your local library.
811343
I have been gardening for a long time. This book had some very good ideas/suggestions. Just when you think you know all there is, along comes a book like this that is very helpful!
2430173
I'm a computer's techie without so much knowledge about this topic.
Reading this book I learned important tips for start my vegetable gardening.
I recommend this book!
4059967
For almost 2 years, I have been in vegetable gardening. My garden is quite okay, Id say, but after I read this book, I have discovered that I can do more to my garden. This is one of the most well-informed books on gardening Ive had. The author is obviously well-versed and has done a lot of research on vegetable gardening. I was really impressed at how much information the author gave.

Although my gardening is okay, there are times when I do not plant any vegetable in the garden when it is winter. I do not know how to handle my garden during the cold weather. Now I use this book as a reference several times each week, during the height of the growing season. I have learned how to successfully set up my garden any time of the year, and plant and harvest year-round vegetables.

Although this book may not be detailed enough for someone who has never gardened and the experienced gardener probably does not need it, this book is perfect for someone who has done a little gardening and ready to go to the next level. The book also contains charts for succession and inter-planting, good explanation of necessary ideas, and enough how-to instruction to get your own creative ideas flowing without bogging you down with too many details.
I am so happy with this book and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in gardening.
4954202
I am a home gardeners I did learn a few things about what to plant together and what not to plant together and why. That was helpful. It is well worth reading.
2911475
I was expecting a little handbook with some gardening tips, what I got is the subtitle "everything you need to know to plant,grow and harvest" for your garden!  Tricks, flowers, herbs, veggies, garden plans and much much more!  I write a local garden club newsletter and this will provide me with ideas for each season and answer many questions we have come up with.
1976855
I was glad to come across this book today since it is now October and winter is just around the corner.  I am an intermediate gardener (not super experienced, but not a total beginner either).  I found this book to be a good blueprint for winter preparation, planting and maintenance.

I detected what I think might be and UK flair because Ms. Pylarinos recommends (among other things) winter heathers and polyanthus for winter color. I believe that polyanthus is what I would call primrose.

A winter preparation technique I had not heard of until I read this book is the application of anti-dessicant on the new foliage of shrubs.  This practice helps guard against foliage drying out due to dry winter winds.

Ms. Pylarinos mentions several vegetables that are well suited for winter cultivation.  One thing I thought that could be added to her list is kale.  Some varieties were originally grown in Siberia.  Of course, there are many vegetables that can be grown in winter so it would be hard to mention absolutely everything.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book.  I learned some "new tricks" and the book is well written.  My only wish is that the book had been a bit longer.
1417671
If you want lots of gardening ideas, this book is loaded with fun tips.
2659383
Survival Gardening by Will Cook has something for everyone. It's right down my alley as I grew up on a farm and always love to learn more about growing food. I was particularly interested in the soils for growing. Thanks for the great tips Will!:)
652927
Good ideas inside for planning our next garden project. Well written.
2685976
This book has everything I needed to learn on growing my plants and how best to eat them.  I am hoping for a better Vegetable garden then my brother this year.
4039912
If you are looking for a book to get you started gardening, or get you started gardening with folks under the age of 10 this is right up your alley.  The book is divided into three major sections.  The first is general how to establish a garden and get things moving.  The next section is a month by month guide of what to "Plant Now; Do Now; Harvest Now and Eat Now" so you also get a dozen (+) recipes. The last section of the book is the "A-Z of Plants" which I found helpful as a reference for typical plant info.

Pro's:
Great layout
Photo's are AMAZING
Solid knowledge

Things to be aware of:
From the dust jacket - "The information in this volume has been carefully and thoroughly adapted for American and Canadian reader..."  While noted by the other reviews I don't see anything that jumps out as wrong, some of the names aren't what I know... as with all gardening books things grow differently in Virginia than they do in Oregon so all seasons and directions should be taken with a light jacket that is easily removed.

My edition is a softback highly glossy copy. Cleans up easy and seems well constructed.