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Originally Posted by Jaxom Acorn
I agree with your choice of "Grow you own vegetables" by Joy Larkcom. it has become my bed time reading for a number of weeks now and I have to say that the information it contains is first class. well worth buying as an investment for the future of any gardener old or new.
Jax |
Thought it may be a good idea to start reviewing some of the books we find helpful.
So I will start with Joy Larkcom's "Grow your own Vegetables"
Synopsis
This book contains everything you need to know to create a highly productive, tasty vegetable garden. Joy Larkcom’s easy-to-follow advice covers all aspects of modern vegetable growing.
Joy shows you how to improve your soil using, manure, home made composts and your own fertilisers such as Comfrey tea.
Joys growing techniques have been honed over years of experience. Methods have been tried and tested.
Pests are covered but the new Bio methods are not dealt will in full as at the time of writing these were in their infancy. Diseases are covered in each section of the vegetable pages. The book also takes some of the mystery out of garden speak as she explains various terms as well as braking down the garden year into the months that correspond with early spring, mid spring and late spring. Protection for each type of plant is covered but does not take into account heated greenhouses as Joy realises that a cold greenhouse or Polly tunnel is the best most vegetable growers ever have the opportunity of using. Planning and making good use of space is also covered well. Cultivation information for over 100 vegetables is found in the second half of the book, with cultivars being listed and advice given on the choice of seed available to produce the best results. Joy Larkcom was one of the first people to push oriental salad leaves in the UK and I believe that at one time she and her family were main suppliers for Marks and Spencer’s. Unusual vegetables from the increasingly wide range available today are included in the book. Joy understands that most gardeners today wish to be organic in their approach, and try’s to push natural methods to control pests and diseases.
In the final part of the book there is a planting calendar to help plan ahead with garden jobs, seed buying and succession planting utilising most methods of stretching the garden year by use of mulches, frames, cloches, fleece and plastic protection. All in all an excellent book worthy of a place in any ones mini gardening library.
Jax