The Vegetable Gardener's Container Bible

Starred review from February 15, 2011
Anyone can grow, harvest, and enjoy homegrown veggies, even without a yard, bestselling garden guru Smith persuasively argues as he presents his step-by-step approach to container gardening. A garden of containerspots, buckets, found objectscan stand alone or complement an earth garden, with some advantages, including ease of tending, portability, and fewer insect and disease problems. From soil formulas and layouts for three-container gardens on small balconies and porches to transforming five-gallon plastic buckets into self-watering containers, developing artful arrangements, and pruning, Smiths bible will encourage many new vegetable growers. Useful tips for hanging containers to maximize use of vertical space on patios, grouping plants of similar mature sizes and growth rates, and using organic controls are presented as attractive endeavors, beautifully documented in numerous full-color, full-page photos. With an index, suggested reading list, average last-frost dates and hardiness zone maps, and listings of suppliers, Smiths practical, assuring, timely, and handsomely produced how-to will see brisk traffic.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)

February 7, 2011
Smith (The Vegetable Gardener's Bible) provides advice on growing food in containers. Many gardeners who are familiar with growing annuals may be surprised at the variety and yield of vegetable crops that can be grown in simple, inexpensive containers. Traditional vegetable growers may discover the many advantages to cultivating in pots: fewer weeds and pests, more control over growing conditions, and the convenience of having fresh food right outside the kitchen door. With detailed, illustrated advice on selecting or retrofitting containers, cultivation, efficient maintenance, and design plans to pull it all together, Smith's latest guide provides everything needed to grow a bounty of home-grown vegetables. More than 250 color photos and illus.