by Jennifer R. Bartley
Timber Press, $22.95, 224 pages
Chock full of delightfully displayed gardens and recipes, The Kitchen Gardener’s Handbook by Jennifer R. Bartley is the only gardening book you’ll ever need. Offering the seasonal sections of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter with their own chapters in each — including recipes, menus, garden planning, herbs, vegetables and flowers — builds the framework that will compliment any yard in any season. Garden planning and design are provided in diagrams and colorful, easy-to-discern etchings with technical rationale and logical tips for greater success in planting to reap the most benefits, specifying what to grow and how to grow it for the same luscious results. Author Bartley also gives “Seed to Table” timeframes for each herb, vegetable and fruit for more precise planning and reaping of your bounty. A masterpiece of culinary delights and gardening tips and design, this book will appeal equally to the novice grower and expert alike for both educational purposes and as a quick reference guide. A true asset in any gardener and/or chef’s home!