The Vegetable Gardener's Bible    by Edward Smith Order:  USA  Can Storey, 2010 (2010) Hardcover Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Bob Walch One of the most comprehensive gardening books available, Edward Smith's The Vegetable Gardener's Bible just got better. This new edition has been expanded to cover even more veggies, including many European and Asian varieties which are now available and becoming popular with American gardeners. Because the home grower would like to extend the season as much as possible, Smith has added information on how to push the limits into the winter months. 'Over the ten years since the first printing of The Vegetable Gardener's Bible, I've continued to learn about how to make my vegetable garden more productive. (Folk wisdom notwithstanding, old dogs - and old gardeners - can learn new tricks. They can also abandon old ones that no longer work.) I've figured out or learned from other gardeners better ways to do things,' writes Smith. 'I've questioned how I've done things and sometimes learned that such doings were either not really effective or not worth the time and effort for the effect they had ... I've also experimented with growing new vegetables and growing old standbys using different methods.' The result of this new approach to old methodology and the inclusion of new techniques will be found in the three major sections of this beautiful and lavishly illustrated guide. Part One, From Seed to Harvest explores how to plan, prepare, maintain and harvest your vegetable garden. In Part Two, The Healthy Garden, the author delves into nurturing vegetable friendly soil, composting, and dealing with problems like bugs, slugs and other creatures that 'go chomp in the night'. The heart and soul of the book, the last section offers a plant directory that discusses vegetables and herbs. You'll find extensive information on how to prepare the plot, sow the seeds, and maintain a proper growing environment (water, weeding, etc.). There's also advice on harvesting and storing the veggie when it is ready to pick. With over 250,000 copies of this book already in print, it is obvious that serious vegetable gardeners have already discovered Edward Smith knows what he's talking about. If you are planning on starting your own vegetable garden this spring or expanding the garden you usually plant, this is a book you'll want to read now so you'll be ready to go in April or May! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews