“The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible” by Edward C. Smith is one of the most useful and informative references for vegetable and organic gardening.
The whole theory behind “The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible” is Smith’s W-O-R-D system: wide rows, organic methods, raised beds, and deep soil. Wide rows are easy to work with and can produce a bigger yield of veggies. Organic methods are healthier for the earth, for people and pets, and for the garden. Raised beds provide good drainage and they warm up quicker in the spring time for an earlier start for your season. Deep loose soil encourages root growth and holds moisture and nutrients better than compacted soil.
“The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible” extensively covers soil health starting with how to test soil. Smith also explains how to organically correct deficiencies in nutrients and pH. There is a how-to on making compost and a common pest identification and management guide. The book also covers planning a garden, starting seeds, how to extend the growing season, watering and mulching, weed management, harvesting and storing.
The last section of “The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible” is all about getting to know what you grow. All types of vegetables from artichokes to tomatoes are covered. For each vegetable, Smith talks about the best site to plant, how to sow and grow your seeds, specific harvesting and storing information, and the best varieties to grow.
There aren’t many negative things to say about “The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible.” There could be more vegetables covered in the “Getting to Know What You Grow” section. Also, the pest identification guide could be more in-depth. However, the information that is present in the book covers the most common veggies and pests that one might see in the garden. The photographs and illustrations are in full color and very detailed.
Every gardener can benefit from “The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible,” whether he or she gardens organically or not. It is an excellent reference to keep on the shelf, read all year long, and help gardeners everywhere solve their garden woes.
“Once in a long time, a truly fresh gardening personality emerges. Over the past 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with a few of these–Jim Crockett in the 1960s, Dick Raymond and Bob Thomson in the ’70s, Louise Riotte in the ’80s, Lewis and Nancy Hill in the ’90s.
Ed Smith, vegetable gardener, Cabot, Vermont, is the latest of these amazing personalities. He and his family tend a richly fertile garden of over 1,500 square feet filled with raspberries, blueberries, flowers, herbs, and nearly 100 varieties of vegetables, including some Vermont heirlooms. His garden looks like what I envision as the ‘vegetable garden of Eden.’ “
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