With the subtitle Plant, Grow, and Eat the Best
Edibles for Texas Gardens there isn’t any question what this book is about
or the intended audience. Gardening in Texas with the weather and landscape diversity
isn’t easy, but this book is designed to assist any Texas Gardener in the
state. It features both container gardening and landscape gardening making this
a hand reference guide for both types of gardeners.
The 256 page book is broken into four sections with
material in each section color coded for easy reference. The opening section is
titled “The Garden” and features basic how to do various things. Mixed in with
the large colorful pictures is a text that explains in simple terms how to go
about starting a garden, using seeds, dealing with soil issues, composting,
container gardening, and other topics. Proper watering techniques are discussed
and readers are reminded that during drought it is okay if the plants wilt a
little bit.
On pages 60-61, the section on “Vegetable &
Herbs” begins with a small text note about the merits of home grown produce. In
alphabetical order from “Arugula” (pages 62-63) to “Winter Squash” (Pages 154-155)
and everything in between is covered. Along
with a picture of a vegetable or herb, there is information on when to plant
it, where to plant it, how to do take care of it, when you can pull it and eat
it, and “additional information” that frequently covers selected varieties. Like
the book as a whole, the information is detailed, written in easy to understand
language, and extensive on the item discussed.
This same format is followed in the next section on
“Fruits” starting on pages 156-159. This section opens with “Apples” (Pages
160-161) and ends with “Strawberry” on pages 188-189. While I was aware of
“Muscadine” having seen it referred to in a crime novel or two, I had never
hear of something called a “Mayhaw.” Pages 174-175 goes into the subject of
Mayhaws which apparently grew in swamps in the past and are grown today in east
Texas.
Unfortunately the “Fruits” sections as well as the
following section on “Nuts” are color coded orange as is the section on “Vegetables
and Herbs.” It seems readily apparent that if a book is to be color coded into
sections for easy reference each section should have its own color code.
“Nuts” begins on pages 190-191, and opens with
“Peanut” on the following pages. It
closes with “Pecan” on pages 194-197.
The book concludes with the appropriately titled
section “Need More Help?” Starting on
page 198 this is where you will find the important information on chemical
ratios on various organic fertilizers, those all-important freeze dates,
nutrient short cut problems, soil adjustments for ph issues, a quick planting
reference guide and other information. Also included are “My Family Recipes”
courtesy of the author covering cornbread, pickles, sweet potato casserole,
fried okra, and other delectable. The
section concludes with blank pages for a planting record, a six page index and
a two page author biography.
Published
by “Cool Springs Press” Texas Fruit & Vegetable Gardening: Plant,
Grow, and Eat the Best Edibles for Texas Gardens is a very well done 256
page gardening book written by Texas native Greg Grant. Other than the minor
color coding issue mentioned above this book is virtually perfect in every
detail while providing large amounts of very helpful information. With its
focus on any type of planting and year around opportunities, this is a book any
Texan has to have on his or her shelf.
Texas Fruit & Vegetable Gardening: Plant, Grow, and Eat the Best Edibles for Texas Gardens
Greg
Grant
Cool
Springs Press
April
2012
ISBN#
978-1-59186-531-5
Paperback
256
Pages
$22.99
Material supplied by the good folks
of the Plano Texas Public Library System. Again this year the summer reading
challenge for adults and kids is now underway. For more information go to
Kevin R. Tipple ©2012
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