The Edible Garden Alys Fowler

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: BBC Books (May 10, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846079748
• ISBN-13: 978-1846079740
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 1 x 9.9 inches

Thrifty and resourceful ways to take the good life and refashion it to fit into city life, by throwing out the old rules of gardening and combining the beautiful with the edible Abandoning the limitations of traditional gardening methods, Alys Foster describes how she has created a beautifully productive garden where tomatoes sit happily next to roses, carrots are woven between the lavenders, potatoes grow in pots on the patio, and all of it is produced in a way that mimics natural systems, producing delicious homegrown food for her table. She also shares her favorite recipes for the hearty dishes, pickles, and jams she makes to use up her bountiful harvest, proving that no one need go hungry on her grow-your-own regime. Good for the pocket, good for the environment, and hugely rewarding for the soul, this guide urges urbanites everywhere to chuck out the old gardening rules and create their own haven that's as good to look at as it is to eat.

My Thoughts

Years ago, as a gift for me,  my husband purchased a copy of Alys Fowler's book "The Edible Garden: How to have your garden and eat it ".

Fowler is a British horticulturist and journalist. She's been a presenter on the long-running BBC television program Gardeners' World where she attempts to avoid shop-bought fruit and vegetables and live off her own home-grown produce.

I came upon her television show years ago when watching her "Planting Seeds and Growing Vegetables'. There, she showed us how she begins with modules and then transplants them into the ground much as I do. 

Her delivery is entertaining and I appreciate how she often uses organic compost and clearly describes the process of planting to viewers.  I also enjoy her tips on healthy plants! 

I loved her segment on beekeeping and building a greenhouse to house her tomato plants. I found that her demeanor displayed the heartbreak and frustration we gardeners go through when things don't go as hoped. Sadly, her tomatoes at that time had issues due to the climate she resides in.

Over the years, I've tried some of the recipes and preserving techniques she has described herein and they are all excellent. An added plus is the garden photos that included her dog Isobel and chickens Gertrude and Alice B. 

I wanted to mention this book as it's written in Fowler's down to earth style that makes it easy to read, enjoyable, and encouraging - especially for those of us that like integrating flowers with vegetables in a sustainable garden.