Book Description
With few exceptions-such as corn and pumpkins-everything edible that's grown in a traditional garden can be raised in a container. And with only one exception-watering-container gardening is a whole lot easier. Beginning with the down-to-earth basics of soil, sun and water, fertilizer, seeds and propagation, The Bountiful Container is an extraordinarily complete, plant-by-plant guide.
Written by two seasoned container gardeners and writers, The Bountiful Container covers Vegetables-not just tomatoes (17 varieties) and peppers (19 varieties), butharicots verts, fava beans, Thumbelina carrots, Chioggia beets, and sugarsnap peas. Herbs, from basil to thyme, and including bay leaves, fennel, and saffron crocus. Edible Flowers, such as begonias, calendula, pansies, violets, and roses. And perhaps most surprising, Fruits, including apples, peaches, Meyer lemons, blueberries, currants, and figs-yes, even in the colder parts of the country. (Another benefit of container gardening: You can bring the less hardy perennials in over the winter.) There are theme gardens (an Italian cook's garden, a Four Seasons garden), lists of sources, and dozens of sidebars on everything from how to be a human honeybee to seeds that are All America Selections.
Customer Reviews:
Well worth the price.......2007-07-18
There's an endless list of titles devoted to container gardening, but it turns out that not many are useful for growing vegetables. I borrowed several from the library, including Bountiful Container, and this is the only one I found useful. It's a valuable reference tool, so I'll be getting my own copy.
I have never gardened before; my parents and grandparents had gardens as I grew up, which convinced me that I don't have the patience to go out and dig a big plot, then spend hours weeding it. In addition, we live in a condo with a small yard, so containers seemed to be the way to go, if only I could figure out how to successfully coax veggies from a container. Still, nobody I knew had really done this, so I found the book invaluable.
A lot of it may be old news to experienced gardeners, but as a beginner, it was extremely helpful to read what conditions each type of plant liked. There are some notes on design, as well as some great suggestions for themed gardens - I particularly liked the idea of attracting hummingbirds with a vibrant red garden. The book is well organized, with several pages devoted to the planting, care, and harvesting of each plant.
I knocked the book down 1 star because I think a few things should really be added. First, some color photos or illustrations. A previous reviewer mentioned that the illustrations are charming but lacking, and I agree. Second, further information about crops that can be planted twice - I know several cool weather plants can be put in for both spring and fall, which the book also mentions. The book walks through the spring planting, but then doesn't discuss the timing of the fall planting. If I have limited space for growing veggies, I really want to plant as much as I can in cycles, and it'd be helpful to have that information! Finally, some sort of chart that groups together plants which like the same conditions would be an extremely helpful addition to this book. You can get by with notes, but a chart would be a great reference tool.
Best Father's Day Gift Ever!.......2007-07-09
My parents are beginning to feel the effects of the years. This spring, my Dad had serious surgery and he and Mom were both depressed that there could be no vegetable garden this year. What luck that I had stumbled onto the Bountiful Container while doing research for a garden class I was asked to teach this spring. I purchased the book and two self watering containers for them for Mothers and Fathers Days this year and they are having a ball with them! Their garden has always been in the back forty, and now, they are in an "intimate relationship" with their tomatoes, peppers, beans and cucumbers. This book is inspiring and hope building. It's the answer for all of us who don't have time, don't have space, don't have money, and simply don't need the overwhelming bounty of an in-ground vegetable garden. If you are such an expert gardener that you can't learn something new from every listing in this book, why didnt' you write this book? This book will ALWAYS be on my book shelf!
McGee & Stuckey's Bountiful Container: Create Container Gardens of Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits and Edible Flowers.......2007-06-01
Will enjoy planting plants in containers of vegetables to eat.
Save your money; the best book around for beginners........2007-05-09
This is hands down the best book on container gardening out there. With the exception of the edible flowers section (unless you're into that sort of thing), it's full of excellent information, from back to front. If you're new to container gardening like I was, I'd suggest that you start here with this book. It's readable, organized exceptionally and just generally well-written and thorough.
Full of Joy and Information.......2007-04-12
I love this book and I will be pulling it out often this growing season. It's packed with very specific information on how to grow every imaginable edible plant --from flowers through vegetables and fruit trees--in containers. You will learn when to plant, which varities do best in containers, whether to start with seed or transplants, how to combine plants in a container for beauty and/or successive harvesting, what size container to use, how often to fertilize and with what, when to harvest...the list goes on and on. The writing itself is delightful, from the descriptions and planting instructions for theme gardens (Victorian Splendor, Tea Time, Childrens' Garden just to name a few) to the history of many of the plants and unusual recipes using the bounty of your containers (Begonia Sorbet, Strawberries with Scented
Geraniums and Creme Fraiche, Stuffed Squash Blossoms with Fresh Tomato Sauce)! The Bountiful Container is a joy to read and really makes you want to get out into your garden and start planting. It's both a feel good book and a very informative book--IMO a rare combination in a reference book. I can't say enough, I'm so glad I bought this book.
Book Description
This unique gardening and cookery book shows you how to cultivate edible flower combinations, and how to use blossoms, blooms and petals in the kitchen.
Amazon.com
Author Rosalind Creasy has written extensively on edible gardens: The Edible Herb Garden and The Edible French Garden are some of her past titles. The Edible Flower Garden focuses on plants that not only enhance recipes, but also turn the plate into a painting--a visual as well as gastronomic enterprise. For the reader who thinks such things are only for true gourmets or Metropolitan Home magazine aesthetes, one look at the photographs in this book will seduce you. The images are so beautiful and unusual as to be hypnotic: rose petals served as a bowl of ice cream (Rose Petal Sorbet); salads that look like wildflower meadows.
Creasy interviews Alice Waters of Chez Panisse about her use of flowers in meals at her famous Berkeley restaurant; Waters recounts the curious effect cooking with flowers has on diners. "The flowers are a fascination. People really focus on them and are curious." This curiosity stems from a cluster of superstitions: that all flowers are somehow poisonous, that beautiful things should not be touched or consumed, that vegetables are the sturdy, useful plants while flowers are "for show." Reading The Edible Flower Garden, I remembered the summer I forgot to pick my artichokes, and they basked in the sun long after they were ripe. One day I looked out and it was as if a spell had been cast: the ugly green artichoke scales were gone, transformed into blinding purple flowers. Color is always hiding somewhere, and it is wonderful to allow it to flourish, like Creasy does, in places where it is not expected. --Emily White
Customer Reviews:
A Splash of Edible Color.......2006-05-18
The genre of edible flowers and their strictly culinary use has not received a tremendous amount of literary attention. Many similar books hail from Great Britain authors and exhibit a decidedly British tilt in taste.
Author Rosalind Creasy has written extensively on edible gardens and her books are somewhat formulaic in nature. She repeats much of the same materials such as the section on compost is duplicated in each of her companion titles. This is at times an annoyance and waste of money to buyers of multi titles.
She interviews Alice Waters of Chez Panisse about her use of flowers and fortunately, for the reader, Creasy's recipes are a bit more obliging on the palate than Water's occasional unseemly combinations.
The photography is stunning. The information is basic.
Stunning book.......2003-03-30
The photography in this book is stunning. The information in the book is extremely well done. I love the way the book is set up. The recipes come last and make you want all of the flowers necessary to make them. I make organic rose petal jelly, so I am always on the look out for rose recipes, the rose petal sorbet is great. It can be made as a sorbet or as an ice cream with a bit of tweaking. I have enjoyed chive flower butter, but the first batch I made was a tad potent. The chive flower imparts a much stronger taste in much less volume. The photos are full of great ideas to decorate with the flowers. I often put flowers in pasta and salad, but had certianly never thought of serving my rose butter in roses! Great book all the way around.
Edible Flower Garden by Rosalind Cresy.......2002-05-02
I found the book beautifully illustrated and for the most part interesting and informative. I also found the book a bit vague and by no means comprehensive. I am a chef trying to acquire a colorful palate for my presentation but I did not find enough variety. I wondered why at least a list of more flowers wasn't included somewhere. Overall a very enjoyable book, especially the recepies...
Edible Flower Garden by Rosalind Cresy.......2002-05-02
I found the book beautifully illustrated and for the most part interesting and informative. I also found the book a bit vague and by no means comprehensive. I am a chef trying to acquire a colorful palate for my presentation but I did not find enough variety. I wondered why at least a list of more flowers wasn't included somewhere. Overall a very enjoyable book, especially the recepies.
Create a Garden full of Edible Flowers.......2001-01-24
Use what is fresh. In this case, that means the flowers too! In The Edible Flower Garden, Rosalind Creasy shares and explains the beautiful world of cooking with colorful and tasty flowers.
Emphasis is given to creating gardens that will supply those flowers. It takes a lot of flowers for most recipes, so it is good to know how many of each to plant and when to harvest. While traditional herbal flowers like lavender and borage are included, there are also selections on vegetable flowers, as well as, some more unusual flowers like lilacs, apple blossoms and begonias.
I particularly enjoyed Ms. Creasy's experiences with Alice Waters of Chez Panisse and the edible flower gardens they create to supply fresh flowers for their world renowned restaurant.
Of course, the beautiful photos of the Edible Flower Canapes, the Pineapple Sage Salsa and the Rose Petal Sorbet weren't bad either.
Book Description
Now you can cut years off the process of learning about plants. Learn how related plants have similar features for identification. Discover how they often have similar properties and similar uses. Toms book takes you beyond the details towards a greater understanding of the patterns among plants. Most plant books cover only one or two hundred species. Botany in a Day includes more than 100 plant families and over 700 generaincluding edible and medicinal usesapplicable to many thousands of species.
With this book you will be able to recognize patterns in plants everywhere you goin the wild, in your garden, among house plants, even at the florist. Understand the magic of patterns among plants, and the world will never look the same again!
Many people recognize plants from the Mint family because they have square stalks, opposite leaves and most of them smell minty. I like to start my classes with a discussion of the the Mints because this pattern is so well known. What people dont realize is that similar patterns exist for other families of plants as well. Simply put, the study of botany is the study of patterns in plants!
Learning patterns in plants is fun, and you only need to learn about 100 broad patterns to recognize something about virtually every plant from coast to coast across the northern latitdudes.
In a two hour plant walk we typically start with the Mint Family, then progress through the Mustard, Pea, Parsley, Borage, Lily and Aster Families, so that every student can easily recognize these common families representing several thousand species. Ive had people tell me they learned more in that two hour walk than in an entire semester of botany in college. Thomas J. Elpel, Botany in a Day AUTHORBIO: Thomas J. Elpel had the rare opportunity as a child to spend hundreds of hours with his grandmother, exploring the hills and meadows of Montana. Toms grandmother helped him to learn about the native plants and their uses, igniting a passion for nature that has inspired Tom ever since.
Tom is now the director of Hollowtop Outdoor Primitive School (HOPS) in Pony, Montana where he teaches classes on stone age skills, including botany. Botany in a Day grew from Toms desire to provide an easy means for other people to discover a closer connection with the natural world. Tom is also the author of three other books inspired by nature, including: Participating in Nature, Direct Pointing to Real Wealth and Living Homes.
Customer Reviews:
Tremendous help to this novice.......2001-12-30
When I started a new hobby of photographing wildflowers, I had no clue on the importance of learning plant families in order to identify them. If I couldn't tell from the picture in a field guide, I was up a creek. "Botany in a Day" was the first book I found that organized the families in a simple, clear way that I could understand and this system has become my main guide for grouping and identification. The herbal information is interesting, but not relevant to my project. I'm very grateful for the help I've received from this book
Good intention, disappointing result.......2001-11-25
This book could have been a gem for people interested in botany and healing plants, but it does not manage to fill this void. The text is not read by a professional botanist (I assume) and incorrect or dubious facts are common. Furthermore, the text is filled with typos and misspellings that could easily have been caught in a simple spell-checking program. The figures are from older literature and are not well reproduced. The aim with this book, to explain botany in a day, is highly recommendable, but I cannot recommend this book in its present shape and quality-level. A completely corrected, re-formatted, and revised edition of this book is needed. For people interested in the plant families of North America I instead recommend the high-quality work of Zomlefer: Guide to Flowering Plant Families.
A comprehensive guide to plant families.......2001-11-03
Though definitely *not* a field guide. This book is intended to be an introduction to plant families, and it does a good job at that. All the vascular plant families present in North America are briefly described and identification tips noted. Very few actual species are thoroughly described, though the "medicinal" properties of many species, mostly collected from other sources, are recounted here. This book would be better titled "Herbalism in a Day" as it's long on lists of medicinal uses and short on detailed botanical information. I'm pleased I purchased it, but it would be a inadequate substitute for an actual field guide or flora.
Covers over 100 plant families and over 700 genera.......2001-10-14
Most plant books cover a few hundred species: Botany In A Day covers over 100 plant families and over 700 genera, from edible plants to medicinal plants, providing a focus on herbal plant families which users will find easy and important. No color photos; black and white line drawings serve as the illustration for descriptions which are detailed, from the plant's appearance to the author's experiences using the plant in applications. Botany In A Day is simply packed with information and an invaluable reference for aspiring gardeners and neophyte horticulturalists.
Let the cover be your judge!.......2001-09-27
Contrary to the old axiom, this book actually delivers what it promises on the cover. By spending just one day with this book you'll get a fairly comprehensive understanding of the evolution of plants, their general classifications, and unique properties. The author writes in a very straightforward, concise, easy-to-read style that lets you absorb the information quickly and easily without being burdened with excessive detail. I also thoroughly enjoyed his Gestalt approach to Botany. I purchased this book as a supplement to my college course in Field Botany and discovered a wonderful resource.
Customer Reviews:
Cooking Resources From Your Own Garden.......2000-07-26
Fascinated by the beauty of real flowers used in cake decorating, I decided to buy this book. And I'm glad I did! It is filled with a wealth of information of which flowers can be used for decorating and flavor as well as proper collection techniques and preparation methods. Recipes are also included. The color pictures are quite helpful and will give additional ideas to readers. Highly recommended for anyone looking for something exotic!
Never realized how many edible flowers there were out there........1999-04-21
I am new to working with herbs and have been to a Tea Room several times where edible flowers are frequently used on the dishes. This book is very informative as to the various edible flowers you can plant in your garden and has some great recipes.
Average customer rating:
- GREAT Descriptions, Pictures, Gardening Advice...
- A rose by any other name.... is LUNCH.
- Great frosting.... no cake!!!
- Best book of edible flower recipies
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Edible Flowers: From Garden to Palate
Cathy Wilkinson Barash
Manufacturer: Fulcrum Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Baking
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Flowers
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1555911641 |
Customer Reviews:
GREAT Descriptions, Pictures, Gardening Advice..........2004-03-20
Well worth having as a reference book. There are numerous tasteful ways to prepare the flowers As well as ways to grow them. The Pictures are very good for descriptions of Plants and What the prepared foods will look like (providing you have the right skills) In the back is a list of some of the plants to look out for that are not to be eaten and she has her list of "rules" when looking into eating the flowers. 250 pages of great Information!
A rose by any other name.... is LUNCH........2001-09-03
What can one say about an author who thinks that Sappho was a man?
Great frosting.... no cake!!!.......2001-08-30
"Edible Flowers from Garden to Palate" is a feel good book written for people who are already experts on the subject. How else can you explain that less than 1/3 of one page of this 250 page book is dedicated to "What part of the Flower to Eat" and much of that paltry 16 lines of text is either confusing or inconsistent with other key portions of the book? Although there are specific warnings about flower parts including stamens, styles, pistils and sepals -- there are not any pictures or diagrams illustrating what they look like on the various flower types or how best to remove them. Infact, they are not even listed in the index! Even within these three short paragraphs Ms. Barash apparently contradicts herself. At the bottom of paragraph 1 she states "Remove the sepals of all flowers except violas, Johnny Jump-ups and pansies." Then at the bottom of paragraph 2 she states, "Others, including Johnny jump-ups, violets, runner bean, honeysuckle and clover can be eaten in their entirety." Does "eaten in their entirety" include the sepal or the stamens, the styles and the pistils? For that matter, why is the term pistil used in The Ten Rules of Edible Flowers and not refered to in the section on what parts of the flower are edible? Furthermore, Ms. Barash appears to consistently violate her own "rules". For example, prior to the Introduction she lists The Ten Rules of Edible Flowers which includes number 7, "Remove pistils and stamens from flowers before eating. Eat only the petals." Then on page 231 she states, "If they are on the plate, they should be edible." Both seem like good consistent advise until you read the sections on the individual plants. Page 17 shows a whole Calendula on a plate. Is all of it edible? Page 28 shows a whole Daylily on a plate. Is all of it edible? Page 43 shows a whole nasturtian on a plate. Page 59 shows a whole stem of sage including leaves and flowers on a plate. Page 75 shows a whole stem of anise hyssop including leaves and flowers on a pizza. This raises the question, which flowers do you really have to follow the rules and only eat the petals? A rule is not a rule if almost everything is an exception. This seeming lack of consistency is continued throughout the book. On page 173 both the recipe and the photo call for a whole pineapple guava flower. Is all of the flower edible? Even the dreaded stamens, styles, pistils, and sepals? Which rule if any is being violated by these examples, rule 7 or the prohibiltion on page 231?
Unfortunately, readers who don't already know the answers to these questions will have to find the answers from another source. From my perspective, this book is yet another example of a very disturbing trend in books and magazines related to organic gardeing. It seems at an ever increasing rate that "essential facts" are being replaced by glossy paper and beautiful photos. Why authors and publishers seem to think the two are mutually exclusive is beyond me.
Best book of edible flower recipies.......1999-11-11
This is the best book of edible flower recipes I have found. It is packed with delicious recipes using over 60 different flowers. Conveniently, about half are accompanied by small color photos of the dish.
The book starts out with essential information on cooking with flowers including preserving & drying them. General recipes such as flower butter, honey, sugar, syrup & jelly for each flower follow.
There are also facts on each flower including the scientific name, a brief history, physical characteristics, description of flavor & ideal growing conditions. Great basic information on organic gardening in included as well.
Most of the recipes I've tried, including soups, salads, desserts, drinks & main dishes have been easy to make. My favorite is the herb & flower cheese terrine. It makes a tasty & impressive party appetizer.
Book Description
Both the Taylor's Guides to individual plant groups and the Taylor's Weekend Guides on basic techniques and popular gardening styles are highly acclaimed and well established. We now enthusiastically add a quick-reference series for readers who don't have the time or the experience to do their own research. Taylor's 50 Best books highlight the most attractive foolproof plants and include detailed information that every gardener needs in order to grow them. Color photos, full-color drawings, and growing tips make each plant entry useful and complete. Six books introduce the series and cover the most popular plants for backyard gardeners: perennials for sun, perennials for shade, herbs and edible flowers, roses, shrubs, and trees.
Customer Reviews:
This is an extremely informative book for beginners........1999-06-21
I decided to start an indoor herbal garden, and this was one of the first books I picked up. Not only was it informative about plant care, it also provided some very interesting recipes, concoctions, folklore, and tips on storing and processing the herbs.
Book Description
Lois Hole collaborates with culinary experts to produce a comprehensive work on the best ways to grow and use dozens of herbs and edible flowers. Easy-to-use tips, unique recipes and information about the best ways to grow an edible flower and herb garden are included. The over 100 recipes include choices for meat lovers and vegetarians,dessert aficionados and appetizer connoisseurs.
Customer Reviews:
Using Edible Flowers and Beyond.......2001-01-24
Written by veteran gardener Lois Hole, this book covers in great depth her favorite 25 herbs. There is no shortage of information in this book and the emphasis is on both growing and cooking. Growers tips and chefs hints on each plant are abundant. And, while there are recipes for using the leaves of the plants, special highlights are given to the use of the flowers. It is obvious she has perfected her skills and her directions are set forth clearly for your success.
If you are not convinced by the words, the photos of lush plants, icy pitchers of Lemon Balm Ade or Marigold Punch, savory platters of Basil Stuffed Steaks or Shrimp and Lemongrass and sweet platters of crystalized violets will certainly sway you.
Its all here. Garden indoors, or out, or both. How much to plant and when. How to harvest and when and what to do with your bounty. Make butters, vinegars, oils and just about anything else you can think of from herbal flowers.
75 additional herbs are given a brief treatment; just enough to make you wonder when book 2 will come out.
It should be noted that Ms. Hole is not an organic gardener and we hope that you will take her few recommendations to the contrary with a grain of salt. This in no way minimizes the great amounts of valuable advice rendered in this book. A book we enjoyed immensely.
Books:
- My Garden of Flower Fairies
- Nancy Lancaster: English Country House Style
- National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Eastern Region - Revised Edition (National Audubon Society Field Guide)
- Natural Swimming Pools: Inspiration For Harmony With Nature (Schiffer Design Book)
- Natural Swimming Pools: Inspiration For Harmony With Nature (Schiffer Design Book)
- New Complete Guide to Landscaping: Design, Plant, Build (Better Homes and Gardens(R))
- New England Gardener's Guide
- Niwaki: Pruning, Training and Shaping Japanese Garden Trees
- Ortho's All About Creating Japanese Gardens (Ortho's All About Gardening)
- Outdoor Kitchens: Designs for Outdoor Kitchens, Bars, and Dinning Areas (Quarry Book)
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