The Postage Stamp Vegetable Garden by Karen Newcomb

Gardening
224 p.
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Published: 2/17/15
Source: Free from Blogging for Books for review

This classic gardening bestseller (over 500,000 copies sold) uses ecologically friendly, intensive biodynamic methods to produce large amounts of vegetables in very tiny spaces. Revised for an all new generation of gardeners, the 40th anniversary edition includes brand new information on the variety of heirloom vegetables available today and how to grow them the postage stamp way.

To accommodate today's lifestyles, a garden needs to fit easily into a very small plot, take as little time as possible to maintain, require a minimum amount of water, and still produce prolifically. That's exactly what a postage stamp garden does. Postage stamp gardens are as little as 4 by 4 feet, and, after the initial soil preparation, they require very little extra work to produce a tremendous amount of vegetables--for instance, a 5-by-5-foot bed will produce a minimum of 200 pounds of vegetables.

When first published 40 years ago, the postage stamp techniques, including closely planted beds rather than rows, vines and trailing plants grown vertically to free up space, and intercropping, were groundbreaking. Now, in an ever busier world, the postage stamp intensive gardening method continues to be invaluable for gardeners who wish to weed, water, and work a whole lot less yet produce so much more.

My thoughts:
I actually come from a background of farmers. My mother loves to garden and she has started these small gardens on her own. It is with her in mind I got this book for review.

When I looked at the book I loved how the small gardens were set up. I also liked the recommended companion plants to help deter pests. This seemed like a wonderful gardening book to me but it still had to pass the mom test. So, I set it in front of her and she quickly devoured it. Her favorite parts were the plant suggestions listed in the book. She now has her eye on several plants she wants for her garden. She also enjoyed the parts of the book with the companion plants. While I think it would take more time with her not wanting to plant in rows (a farmer thing... LOL) I think this will end up giving her more options. Both of us highly recommend this book for first time gardeners as well as seasoned farmers looking for a personal garden. We give it 4 1/2 stars.