The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegetable Gardening

Book excerpt: For the first time since 2002, home and garden sales are increasing - and the trend is expected to continue. There are articles in the news every day, in papers such as The Denver Post and The Washington Post, talking about how vegetable gardening is experiencing resurgence in popularity. Perhaps it's because of the uncertainty that surrounds the safety of produce purchased in the grocery store these days. Perhaps it's because people are looking for fun, inexpensive hobbies to dive into. Or perhaps it's because there's nothing like the taste of fresh fruits and veggies grown in the backyard. But whatever the reason, readers need advice on gardening now more than ever before. And The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Vegetable Gardeningis just the place to turn. In this book, expert authors Daria Price Bowman and Carl A. Price provide information on- Expert techniques for planning and plotting a garden Understanding what's necessary for soil nourishment Planting seeds and seedlings Growing fruits, vegetables, berries, and more Cultivating medicinal and healing herbs Recognizing and preventing the most common plant diseases Identifying and eliminating weeds Pruning and trimming plants Knowing when to harvest Deciding whether to can, dry, or freeze A comprehensive, easy-to-read book, The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Vegetable Gardening is an excellent resource for anyone interested in growing fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs.