Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden

We have been enjoying this book, reading it in small increments and commenting to each other about what intrigued us with the more memorable designs. Even though these are short articles adapted from a variety of authors, everything harmonizes nicely. Each presentation is about 4-5 pages long and has a nice layout sketch. This is more an inspirational 'wish book' to demo what is practical, than an actual garden planner. I was surprised how many gardeners take the trouble to espalier trees as I thought that was something rather difficult, so I am heartened. Many of the gardens are small enough that you could actually create one of these every few years to add to your own diversity on your homestead. The book is inexpensive, the format makes it easy to hold and there are many interesting side notes that intrigued us to explore. We live in Zone 5 MA and plenty of the exact examples would work for us, but even if the specific recommended plants are not seasonably appropriate.to our area, that does not diminish from the value the book offers. It is inspiring to see how many 'victory gardens' everyone could plant if they replaced parts of their lawns with a nice food garden. This book would make an excellent housewarming gift, methinks.

I found this at my local public library and fell in love with it, had to order my own copy because there are just so many great ideas here. First and foremost, you should know what this is NOT. It is NOT a detailed step-by-step guide or how-to garden book. Think of this more as one of the best Pinterest boards you have ever seen. Each garden plan will have something to spark your own ideas, be it layout, plants, or technique. This is book full of inspiration for any gardeners who are looking to mix things up or just need a change from their usual ways of doing things.I should also note that I'm not one of those meticulous, detail-oriented gardeners who have immaculate formal gardens. I grow things on a whim, and "planning" is used very loosely in what I do with our yard. That said, this book was exactly my style of reading. Very visual, very straightforward, and very easy to skim. There are no photos, just a couple different styles of drawing or sketching each garden plan. I do wish some of the illustrations had more details, but I'm still delighted with the book overall.

I resisted getting this book for a long time. Even though I depend on Niki Jabbour's "The Year Round Vegetable Gardener," I couldn't imagine that there would really be anything useful for me in a book of garden plans. Was I ever wrong! Not only is the book chock full of fascinating, unique, and sometimes quirky plans, there are also plenty of great gardening tips and lists of interesting and unusual vegetables to try. I often found myself highlighting information to try in our next garden. Whether you're an experienced gardener, a newbie, or just a wanna-be gardener, I think you'll find this a worthwhile addition to your gardening library. The illustrations are beautifully and clearly done and the author's easy-to-read writing style is of the highest quality (very important to me--and I'm a tough style critic). I highly recommend this book. I even enjoyed it as bedtime reading--a great way to encourage sweet gardening dreams.

Lots of gardening ideas and put together with well.

Usually I am not into a compilation book, but this book covers 73 different views of what a 'garden' can be. After a request to my local library so I could preview this book - I bought it! Every page is interesting, every view of what a garden is (or can be) is valuable and the illustrations are great. 5 specific pages sold me on this book and reading through it again I see more useful information.

I enjoyed flipping through this book, but it isn't all that useful for really building a vegetable garden. It's a nice, light, plant-related read, if that's what you're looking for.

This is a wonderfully presented, organized and inspiring book! True, it's not in depth garden information. But, if you are looking for new ideas there are many different types of gardens described with great photos and diagrams. Some of them show creative solutions people have come up with to grow things they wanted to grow in their climate, for example, how to successfully grow figs in Canada. This book has great creative ideas & solutions and covers a wide array of situations. Fun to look at and explore at your leisure. I gave the e-book to two of my friends.

I don't have a great head for design--I know what I like when I see it, but it's hard for me to conceptualize what a layout should be to get the intended effect. With this, I can turn to a design I like and they've helpfully included the layout so I can replicate it.Lots of great ideas, easy to read/flip through. Many different types of gardens.

Great buy! Been looking for a garden layout book, this is perfect!

I know that the author of this book is quite recognised but I have not found anything that I will use from that book. A few kinds of gardens - each just a summary on 2 pages ...Disappointing. I Paid quite a lot for it so for me it was a of money. No inspiriting, more inspirations you will find on internet as well as veg and fruit plans. But it could be good for you ... I was looking something to give me an ideas how to plan my back yard garden to grow food. ;( not this book unfortunately.

This books is packed with useful information!! Lovely pictures!! Gave me many ideas on use of space as well as what to plant where!!

If you're a gardener who likes to grow food, and who likes to check out other people's gardens, then you're going to love this book. Lots of plans, feels like you get to tour your grandiose neighbour's beautifully planned out food garden. Gives all sorts of ideas of plants, layouts, combinations, and themes for gardens. For me, it's a nice way to dream and escape the winter blues while I wait for the next gardening season to come around... the book can just be dipped into and opened at random, so that I can explore a garden or several, every time I feel like I need a gardening fix.

Great book !