Best Book for Growing Tomatoes & Other Vegies

11 years ago

Dear Garden Folk

1st Time vegie grower looking for a good book(s).

Tomatoes seem to be the most daunting so a book on growing them would be great and perhaps different book vegies.

Or, all in one (whatever works)

Let me know.

Thanks!

Dale

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Comments (10)

fusion_power
11 years ago
Sandhill Books

There are a couple on the above page that are worth reading.

DarJones
chas045
11 years ago
'Tomatoes seem to be the most daunting'

I have gardened for over 50 years, and while it is possible that I have forgotten my earliest years, I don't ever recall thinking that tomatoes were anything but the easiest plants to grow. It is true that blossom end rot can be an issue, but I'm not confident that any book actually has the answer to this problem.

You do need to make/have some decent soil, but almost any garden book will cover that. It would probably be good to have some information about your locality, but otherwise I suggest the best book is the cheapest one at the local second hand store or the library.
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I've learned that some shade for my produce plot is very important. I am a California gardener turned New Mexican. My gardening skills have been seriously challenged since I made the move to NM! Trees also mitigate the wind factor; I live on a mesa in central NM. This morning I began an experiment with branches from Santolina plants, to see if they will repel the beetles which kill off my squash plants. I pruned the Santolina and distributed the branches amongst the squash plants. I sure hope it works, because there is an army of grey colored beetles dong damage in the garden. I have three Santolina planted in a large bed of strawberries. The Santolinas got rid of the beetles which used to infest the strawberries. The marigolds seem to help repel ants. I have marigolds growing throughout my produce plot. The flowering plants which I've had good success with here are: roses (if they get some shade), dianthus, snapdragons, hollyhock, moss roses, honeysuckle, chrysanthemums, sunflowers, Maximillian sunflowers, yarrow, hibiscus, marigolds, Texas bluebells, creeping Veronica, plumbago, salvias, cosmos, bachelor buttons, penstemons, catmint, hummingbird mint and scabiosa. (Maximillians and yarrow are invasive plants. One has to plant them where it is okay for them to spread.) I am also growing blueberry bushes, strawberries, a couple of grape vines, asparagus, artichoke, summer squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, lima beans, bush beans, arugula, thyme, mediterranean oregano, basil, green chilies, corn, shallots, onions and garlic. I hope to do beets, chard, winter squash and kale for a fall crop. I have two young almond trees, which are doing well.
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Trishcuit
11 years ago
Starting from seed indoors does add a whole new dimension to tomatoes, peppers etc. More equipment and things to consider. Rodale press puts out excellent books that are easy to read and understand. No techno jargon mumble jumble. Well organized, nicely illustrated.
nanelle_gw (usda 9/Sunset 14)
11 years ago
This is one of my favorites.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Gardener's Table
User
11 years ago
I find some of the state agriculture colleges provide some of the best and most up to date information - for free. They have very useful info on their websites that is appropriate for the area and climate.
defrost49
11 years ago
Since you are in MA, I would get Crockett's Victory Garden. I saw several copies yesterday in a used bookstore here in NH. It's divided into sections by month so there are good reminders about what to do each month. The book is based on a popular gardening show around 1980s.
lantanascape
11 years ago
My favorite veggie gardening book ever is The Vegetable Gardener's Bible by Edward Smith. The advice is solid, and he provides a great profile and "how to" on each of the common garden vegetables. He uses the "WORD" system, which stands for something like Wide, Organic, Raised, Deep (beds). Don't be intimidated by tomatoes, they are actually pretty easy and forgiving. Work on building your soil and the rest will mostly take care of itself.
daleyc
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks all for your suggestions! They all sound so good. I'm going to cruise Amazon for used copies and go from there.
jolj
11 years ago
Oh, I wish one book would say it all. Every book I read tells me some thing new.
All About Tomatoes
Grow Vegetables
Time-saving Gardener
Gourds in Your Garden
The Perfect Pumpkin
Plant Diseases (earth-safe remedies)
Keeping Bees & making Honey
Square Foot Gardening
The wise Garden Encyclopedia
No-Work Garden Book
12 Months Harvest
The Insect Guide
Root Cellaring
There are as many books on Fruits & Berries, too.
That is another thread, maybe another forum.
bart1
11 years ago
Agree with this:

My favorite veggie gardening book ever is The Vegetable Gardener's Bible by Edward Smith.

I consult this book more than all my others and I check it before I plant just about everything. It's easy to understand, well written and has great photos.

Best Book for Growing Tomatoes & Other Vegies

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fusion_power

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Best Book for Growing Tomatoes & Other Vegies

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