Growing Herbs and Vegetables: From Seed to Harvest

Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience at Hedgehog Hill Farm in Sumner, Maine, the Silbers (A Small Farm in Maine) share their combined knowledge in this well-organized and thorough garden primer. An abundance of detailed, specific information explains the basics of garden planning (including a look at the explosion of horticultural information on the Internet and how best to choose among all the glossy seed and plant catalogues), propagation, transplanting and the cultivation and care of both new and mature gardens. Committed seed savers, the authors advocate a ""raised-bed total-mulch program,"" which involves preserving heirloom varieties and creating a thriving garden by planting in wide, raised rows protected by weed-suppressing mulch. Comprehensive chapters on cultivating both vegetables and herbs cover everything from asparagus to tomatoes and angelica to wormwood, and include an eclectic assortment of recipes (salsa, homemade sauerkraut, herb tempura) and tips on preserving root vegetables and drying herbs. The workmanlike tone of the book is offset by the expert advice offered by these experienced gardeners. (Nov.)