The Silbers tell us how to go about searching for just the right seeds, plants, and information; how to determine the number of plants we need; how to set up a germinating area; how to seed and transplant; how to use cold frames and other methods of hardening off our seedlings. They take us into the garden and explain how to evaluate soils and break up top growth. We learn about setting out plants; about direct seeding in mulched areas and open ground; about weeding, watering, and fertilizing. They share their wisdom about controlling insect damage and battling plant diseases; about accommodating animals while protecting crops; about harvesting, fall cleanup, and collecting, saving, and storing seeds from our own gardens.

Specific, detailed instructions are given for growing 37 vegetables--alphabetically arranged from asparagus to turnips--and 51 herbs, from angelica to woad. Well-organized charts make it easy to find essential information quickly, and drawings and photographs provide visual direction. Conveniently located sidebars give us guidance on such topics as growing hot peppers, planting mesclun, making sauerkraut, braiding onions, blanching cauliflower, growing moth-repellent herbs, making herb tempura and vinegars, and crystallizing flowers.

Here is a book guaranteed to inspire us to dig into the gardening catalogues and then into the earth to begin the adventure of producing our very own bountiful harvest.