From Deseret News archives:
Spring books yield a bounteous crop of gardening advice
At the beginning of April, garden expert Larry Sagers, a horticulture specialist for the Utah State University Extension Service at Thanksgiving Point, gave readers the basics on how to grow their vegetable gardens.
If you're still lost, or a little bit behind, thanks to the weather, there are a number of books that may help fill in the gaps. Below are some of the newest to hit bookstores.
Newbie gardeners, fear not. Intended for three types of gardeners — new, experienced who are teaching newbies and seasoned gardeners who want to home in on the finer points of vegetable gardening — author Barbara Pleasant offers 24 different garden plans from tiny patio to large backyard-size plots.
Pleasant starts by asking gardeners to develop a plan and suggests they start small and grow year by year. She offers three different garden plans that are petite to begin with — who knew you could grow tomatoes in a bag? — but expand to double their sizes over a three-year time span.
Another chapter specifically tailors planting plans to specific climates — short, cool summers; full-season summers; and long, hot summers.
The second section of Pleasant's book focuses on basic skills and techniques. Mulching, fertilizing and stretching the seasons also come into play here.
Finally, Pleasant provides readers with information on choosing strong varieties of plants and includes a section on gardeners' lingo and a comprehensive list of sources for seeds and plants.
Diagrams, graphics and color photographs make this a very user-friendly guide. Though it would be nice if pictures also accompanied the plant variety guide, the essential step-by-step activities are well-illustrated.
In her appropriately titled book "Grow Your Own Vegetables," author Carol Klein offers answers to the age-old question, Why would I want to grow my own vegetables?
Growing our own food is a way to retake control over what we eat, Klein says in her foreword. "When you grow your own, you know exactly where it came from, and it's as fresh as possible."
From there, Klein discusses the varying preparations and techniques needed for a successful garden. Klein focuses on maximizing space, soil types, the right plants for the right climate, pests and weeds, watering and planting.
The majority of the book, however, focuses on the specific vegetables that are divided into specific categories including the cabbage family, beans and peas, perennial vegetables, salad vegetables, heat-loving vegetables and more.
