The Gourmet Gardener: Everything You Need to Know to Grow and Prepare the Very Finest of Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers

Flowerdew, a British horticulturist and author of several books on organic gardening, writes this guide for experienced growers ready to go "gourmet." He argues that mass-grown, chemically treated produce is inferior to organic, and that anything sold in stores has likely suffered during shipping and shelving. A true gourmet should cook using only the best, and that means fresh, home-grown fare. Flowerdew is comprehensive as he describes his tried-and-true techniques for raising even the most temperamental fruits and veggies, but beginning gardeners will be intimidated by the sheer volume of information and the technical knowledge Flowerdew assumes of his readers. More experienced growers will appreciate new tips on old favorites such as carrots, broccoli and peaches, plus the chance to try their hand at more exotic fare like bulbous-rooted chervil, rowan berries and bok, or pak, choi. Flowerdew also includes a chapter on storing and processing, and a rather extraneous section on growing flowers. Gorgeous photos liven up this authoritative, if textbooklike, guide to gourmet gardening. (Feb.)