Beginner's Garden

I have forever admired those that can keep a plant living for more than a few days.  Those that can grow something that's actually edible gets major kudos from me.  I secretly wish I could be that girl that goes out to her backyard, picks vegetables, and makes a beautiful dish out of them.  If you look at my bucket list one of the things you will see is eat something that you've grown.  If I tried that right now I would make myself incredibly sick.  I hope one day to be able to grow my own vegetables.  The only person in my family that successfully grows their own vegetables is my grandfather.  Last year I asked for gardening tips for a true beginner and he suggested I start with okra.  I took his advice and followed his instructions to a T but I started too late in the season and a few hard freezes took my sweet little plant to the grave.

I know ZERO about gardening.  That okra plant growing as much as it did was a true miracle from God!  With the wealth of information out there it's easy to get overwhelmed, which is why I was so excited to get my hands on Beginner's Garden: A Practical Guide to Growing Vegetables & Fruits without Getting Your Hands Too Dirty by Alex Mitchell.

This book takes you through the entire process and leaves a beginner like myself with no question unanswered.  Alex Mitchell states in the book that, "this is the book I wish I'd had when I started growing (on) my own," and for "people who have busy lives but still like the idea of eating a fresh salad they've grown."  That would be me!

The information is very basic, which is much appreciated for this newbie, but make no mistake the amount of information contained within these pages is generous.  I learned so much I never knew and things I didn't know I needed to know!  The book is divided into seasons which is helpful.  As far as the actual gardening, the author keeps the equipment required incredibly minimalistic which motivates you to get started quicker, without excuses.  The section about planting in various containers was especially helpful for me.  Containers do not seem as scary as a plot to me.  I also love how the author added the "where have I gone wrong?" section with each vegetable, noting things to look out for, and even "villains" for certain crops.

The recipes sprinkled throughout the book are a nice touch and the photos are gorgeous!  Simply written and easy to read, the Beginner's Garden would make a perfect housewarming gift and is a wonderful resource!  Highly recommend!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Fox Chapel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.