Drawing directly from his experience as an acclaimed climate-change
gardener, and of setting up a kitchen garden from scratch for River
Cottage, Mark explains the practical aspects of organic growing,
introduces us to a whole world of vegetables we may not have previously
considered, and does away with alienating gardening jargon once and for
all.
Mark begins with a catalogue of vegetables that will grow in this
country, explaining for each their benefits, what varieties to go for,
dos and don'ts, and popular culinary uses. He then invites us to create
a wish list of foods, and shows us his own list from his early gardening
days. Next, he explains how to turn this wish list into a coherent
kitchen garden plan appropriate for our space, whether it be a patch of
acidic soil, a roof-top garden or an allotment, whether we put on our
wellies in every free moment or are 'time-poor' gardeners. Then he puts
all the theory into practice, showing us how to look after nutrients in
the soil, how to resist pests and diseases, and how to make our garden
sustainable and organic. In clear, concise sections we learn about seed
trays, supporting plants with climbing structures, mulching, composting,
companion planting, irrigation and promoting pollination, and there are
additional tables showing sowing and harvesting times, plant sizes, and
alternative varieties of plants for different sites.
About thirty recipes and a directory of useful addresses finish the
book, and the handbook is complemented by bright colour photography
throughout. Practical and inspiring, with a textured hard cover and an
introduction by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Veg Patch is destined to
join Handbooks No. 1, 2 and 3 as an indispensible household reference.
