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Garden Gate:  Your Favorite Gardening Book?  |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 09 2011 : 9:43:38 PM
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Just wondering, girls... What is your all-time, hands-down favorite gardening book... and why?
The one I discovered last year was "The Backyard Homestead," edited by Carleen Madigan Perkins (GOD BLESS HER!). It has everything from planting fruits and veggies and nuts to raising chickens and goats and sheep (and more) to recipes (the easiest and yummiest strawberry jam recipe ever!) and how-to's like cheese-making and beekeeping... It's an incredible book - just one of those books I keep going to, all year long! I actually started to believe I just might be able to grow something - and voila! I DID!
And THEN I found MJF (GOD BLESS MJF!) and all of you (GOD BLESS THE FARMGIRLS!), and now I'm INVINCIBLE! LOL! Just kidding... But I do wear my superheroine farmgirl apron with pride, I can tell you that!!! ;)
So, do tell - what's YOUR favorite???
Thanks for sharing!!!
-Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
Edited by - Ninibini on Mar 09 2011 9:44:55 PM |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2011 : 09:40:38 AM
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OH NINI!!! I can't narrow it down to just one!
I have Square Foot Gardening and Carrots Love Tomatoes that I use every year.
I also like to search out any older gardening books I can find at yard sales and such for some good advice.
Then there's my Burpees Plant Identification Book. I search it constantly with my catalogues to decide if I can actually plant those seeds with the weird names.
Oh yeah! I spend many long nights searchin the internet for anything that might be useful. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention all the Jerry Baker books which I own some of and my Dad owns the rest of.
So I guess I'd have to say I have a favorite shelf on my bookcase more than a favorite book! LOL!
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2011 : 10:56:05 AM
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I have a bunch of different ones from Rodale that I like a lot - I really like "Let's Get Growing" by Crow Miller. I want to get some by Elliott Coleman and Barbara Damrosch too.....saving up slowly:)
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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alterationsbyemily
True Blue Farmgirl
697 Posts
Emily
Chambersburg
PA
USA
697 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2011 : 11:09:37 AM
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"The Backyard Homestead" i just added to my wish list of Paperbackswap.com and I am member 658 wishing for it... sigh, it goes on ebay for 12.97 I will have to wait for my tax refund.
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Currently renting-farmgirl wannabe |
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LadyInRed
True Blue Farmgirl
6740 Posts
PeggyAnn
Vancouver
WA
USA
6740 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2011 : 12:30:05 PM
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I just found Tasha Tudor's Garden Book Monday at my Antique Mall I go to over in Portland, OR.
Then yesterday I got my new issue of MJF and low and behold they are featuring her in the Magazine
and even pictures from The Book I bought. LOVE IT! It is my newest favorite Garden Book! She did
primitive gardening and only used heirlooms. My kind of woman!
Smiles and Hugs,
~peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
http://pegsmiles7.wordpress.com
"I'm only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair-spray I use and the Girlfriends that I have." |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
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Vintage Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
70 Posts
Sue
Woodbine
Maryland
USA
70 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2011 : 7:12:08 PM
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I have to say Backyard Homestead is a keeper! I just got it last month and find myself carrying it everywhere I go, just in case I have a few spare minutes to dip in for more fabulous reading. I can't wait to try the strawberry jam recipe!
"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun" - Katharine Hepburn
www.mymotherspearls.me |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
3004 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
3004 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2011 : 7:36:56 PM
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I have been in love with Tasha since way back. With her love of Corgis, Nubian goats, & her way of making everything sound exquisite; I somehow thought she was invincible, and was shocked when she passed a few years ago. I have nearly every book about her, & 2 documentary videos as well.
Thanks for reminding me. I need to pull out her garden book. |
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Dorinda
True Blue Farmgirl
1023 Posts
Dorinda
St. Cloud
Florida
USA
1023 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 10:41:20 AM
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My favorite gardening book belongs to my Grandmother. I do everything the way she did and my garden always turns out beautiful! My Father also grew a beautiful garden every year. They taught me so much about gardening. I don't think there is a book out there that could replace any of their expertise or advice. My fathers garden was so beautiful the schools would walk there classes down to look at it. Like a field trip. Then they would sit out by the grape vines and eat their sack lunches. I sure miss him and my grandmother and their gardens!!
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 10:45:33 AM
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Ohhhh...Dorinda! What a treasure! What a gift they have bestowed upon you! Is the book one she wrote from her own experiences, or is it an old gardening book from the past? What a wonderful memory of the school kids and lunch under the grape vines, too - that must've been such a magical experience for them!
Hugs -
Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 2:28:28 PM
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I really get a ton of information from The Square Foot Gardening book. I also love "Garden Wisdom & Know-How". It is from the Editors of Rodale Gardening Books.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Gandhi |
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 2:31:06 PM
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Sorry - I had to run and find the authors of this next book "The Self-Sufficient-ish Bible: An Eco-living Guide for the 21st Century" Andy and Dave Hamilton. I love this book for the sheer wealth of information on just about every topic of self sufficiency. I also very uch enjoy the concise presentation of information.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Gandhi |
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Dorinda
True Blue Farmgirl
1023 Posts
Dorinda
St. Cloud
Florida
USA
1023 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 3:02:55 PM
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Hi Nini, Yes it is just like a journal where she would jot down notes from her own experiences. As a young girl I would stay summers with her and help her harvest and can her bounty of veggies.
After a while I would ask her different questions on certain worms and bugs that she would get fretful about when ever she saw them in her garden. I remember one year she had Tomatoe horn worms
and was so upset when ever she saw one and now I Know why they will take a plant down in one day!
So I wrote this down in her journal for her about the worms I remember when I went back home that year to go to school I wrote a report about the Tomatoe Horn Worm. She also had a beautiful rose garden. I have never been able to grow roses they always die out on me. Hum wonder what I am doing wrong there!
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 5:09:51 PM
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I love the Backyard homestead and I just bought a copy of Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening. I also have The Complete book of Herbs by Lesley Bremness that I love for its pictures, info on using herbs in cooking, lotions, potpourri and all kinds of other things. I want to start an herb garden but It'll have to wait till next year, I have some things planned for this year and I don't want to overdo it.
cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 7:29:47 PM
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So glad I found this thread. I went back into my gardening books. I have been enjoying looking at them with my big mug of tea. Another great book "Growing Stuff: An Alternative Guide to Gardening" from Black Dog Publishing.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Gandhi |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 8:28:53 PM
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Dorinda - that is such a wonderful treasure and keepsake you have! There is no book on the market worth more, in my estimation! What a blessing!
Now, you know I'm not a green thumb by any stretch, but years ago a friend told me to take banana peels and just lay them at the base of my roses to help them grow, because they love the potassium. It worked wonders! Maybe give that a try next time! :)
You all have such awesome book recommendations, girls! Thank you for sharing! I have actually considered purchasing some of these titles before, and now I'm going to make my "wishlist" so I can add to my collection! I can use aaaaalllll the help I can get, so please keep 'em coming! :)
Elaine - I have been looking at self-sufficiency books whenever I'm out and about, and have always been overwhelmed as to which one to pick. Thank you for the recommendation! YAY!
And girls - I've also loved Tasha Tudor for as long as I can remember... It was such a treat to see the article about her in this new issue of MJF, wasn't it? She was just so wonderful. I would love to visit there someday, wouldn't you?
Hugs to all -
Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
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paradiseplantation
True Blue Farmgirl
1277 Posts
julie
social springs community
Louisiana
USA
1277 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2011 : 07:17:01 AM
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The Backyard Homestead is one of my favorites too. I also like James Crockett's Victory Garden and The New Kitchen Gardener (I can't remember the writer's name. I also have a bunch of other books I love to keep on hand, like the Garden Primer. I would love to have Tasha Tudor's books and am eagerly watching for them at every garage sale, flea market and junk shop I go to!
from the hearts of paradise... |
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FG Vicki
Farmgirl in Training
27 Posts
Vicki M
Etna
CA
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2011 : 5:20:47 PM
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Wow, I have so many great gardening books, many that have been mentioned live by my reading table year round. But my most very favorite is "The No Work Garden" by Ruth Stout. I don't own a tiller and just add more mulch and manure to my garden every year. It is out of print but I have found it for my kids at used book stores and I've also found her books at yard sales. Another good one is "How to Have a green Thumb without an Aching Back" just plan fun to read :)
The garden I have now is only 3 years old and is the worst soil you can imagine , but much of it now has worms and is soft and nice to work. My son is picking up fresh mulch for me tomorrow for the garden this year. I make it bigger by dumping more mulch in the new area and letting it sit.
Vicki
Vicki
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything"
Vincent van Gogh |
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ladedacreations
True Blue Farmgirl
253 Posts
Sandy
Indian Valley
Idaho
USA
253 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2011 : 10:41:08 AM
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Rodales Garden Answers by far the only one I refer to. Laid out in an A-Z format for veggies and then fruits. Covers planting, harvesting, pests, etc. Love it!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ladedacreations Filled to the brim with my handmade paper, vintage treasures & clothing, photography, naturally grown seeds and unique jewelry and hair pieces created from cast off vintage pieces and old silverware. Be sure to check out my comical Woo Hoo Sister pins for all of you mid lifers!
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http://www.etsy.com/shop/againstthegrain13 is my other shop dedicated to my extreme rustic switch plate covers. If you are a lover of natural wood, you are sure to enjoy these!
Everything I create is done so with solar power using mainly salvaged, recycled and up cycled items.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. Mathew 6:21
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Arctic Flower
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
Marjorie
Nenana
Alaska
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2011 : 12:20:56 PM
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Gosh, I have so many I use for reference. I would say that my favorite is Elliot Coleman's "Three Season Harvest" and "Carrots Love Tomatoes" by Louis Riotte. I use these for vegetables and then for flowers I like "The Prentice Hall Encyclopedia of Garden Flowers" by Anita Pereire. It has 800 flowering varieties including trees with beautiful pictures. I don't know if it is even still in print. It was printed in 1988. But I would stay on the lookout for it. And lastly is my Master Gardening book I received from the Alaska Coop Exstenion office when I took the master gardener class. It has invaluable info for our climate. If you have the chance to take the class in your area, go for it. You won't be disappointed. I think I'll go plant some seeds today!!!
Farmgirl #2416
Believe in the power of Love! |
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Suzetteds
Farmgirl at Heart
1 Posts
wa
1 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2011 : 1:26:30 PM
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Hi girls, thought I would share my all time favorite gardening book, "The Victory Garden Cookbook" by Marian Morash, from the older Victory Garden t.v. show. It is a cookbook but I think it is the best vegetable gardening book I've found. The book has simple yet comprehensive instructions on how to grow, harvest and prepare every imaginable vegetable with great photographs! I recommend this book to all my friends, especially new gardeners and have picked up copies for my grown kids for when they have their own place to garden. Happy Planting!
Washington Farmgirl #2402 |
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Garden Gate: Your Favorite Gardening Book? |
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Your Favorite Gardening Book?
