Nothing on a computer will ever replace the feeling that looking through a book gives us. As an added bonus, they can be shared, bookmarked, and enjoyed off the grid, especially when GEBE or bad weather have us looking for quality entertainment.
One Magic Square *
One Magic Square Vegetable Gardening: The Easy, Organic Way to Grow Your Own Food on a 3-Foot Square by Lolo Houbein
I am thoroughly enjoying this book. Years after receiving it, I am still finding more useful information.
One Magic Square is well written, to the point, and very practical. The lists of common vegetables are all accessible to the curious home gardener, and the simple suggestions for use are inspiring.
Lolo puts in just enough information on the importance of growing your own open pollinated seeds to encourage even the most reluctant, without sounding preachy.
Grow Great Grub *
Grow Great Grub: Organic Food from Small Spaces by Gayla Trail
Grow Great Grub is filled with practical advice, beautiful pictures, and lots of projects to dream over. The focus is organic principles in small spaces, so there is information on fertilizers, pest control, and various plant needs.
It is more than just a how-to, so it might not be comprehensive enough for the complete novice. It is a little difficult to navigate. I have many bookmarks so that I can find things again. What the chapters lack in depth, they make up in easy to understand tips.
What it does do is inspire. When I am in a garden funk I find a ‘make it’ section that would be a great afternoon project. They are rated from easy to difficult, and cover things from a ristra of chilies to a windowsill garden, to creating new plants from cuttings.
There are recipes dispersed throughout the book that provide great ways to use up things you might otherwise overlook. (Borage blossoms in ice cubes, for example).
If you need a comprehensive how-to, get one, but also get this book to remind you that gardening should be enjoyable.
The author, Gayla Trail, has West Indian roots, although her growing is done in urban Canada. Her site, yougrowgirl.com, is a fabulous resource.
* Vandorp St Maarten (A. T. Illidge Road and Airport Road, Simpson Bay) has an eclectic collection of beautiful coffee table books as well as practical guides. It is worth checking frequently to find the hidden gems!
* Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links. We may be compensated (at no cost to you) should you decide to buy online. However, for our St Maarten / St Martin visitors we encourage you to shop local, and every effort has been made to provide a local source. Please let us know if you want to be included!
