Top 5 Books for the Beginning Gardener
When you are learning a new skill or expanding on what you already know, the first step most people do is Google it! But here’s the thing about internet searches, we get a macro-view of information. To actually learn the skill set you really need a micro-view, to get in the weeds or dig in….pun completely intended. And if you don’t have a garden coach or can’t get one on one classes where you live, then books are the best place to get a lot of detailed information.
If you’re new here you should know, I love books! I think that they are a wonderful place to start and really understand the commitment level and basics of a topic. I learn best with hands-on experience, but books are really important for a strong foundation. When it comes to vegetable gardening, oh my are there a lot out there!
I get asked what books would be best to start with or what topics are best for beginning gardeners. So I thought I’d put together a simple top 5 books that I think are best for a beginner to start with. Keep in mind that finding a book that works for you is the most important part. So I can only recommend books that I’ve read and feel have worked for me and/or my clients. And hopefully, they will work for you too!
Let’s start with the two most common questions I get first.
What should I look for in the right book?
Honestly, gardening books can be presented in a few different ways and it’s finding the right presentation that resonates with you. For some it is a task handbook that lays out what needs to be done. Either by week or by month, but a literal to do list of tasks and prep for the next season. (Though if you’re part of my membership area you get monthly task lists from me :) ) And for others it’s “how-to” informational texts. How to build a cold-frame, how to set up your soil conditions, how to companion plant, etc. So finding the style and set up is important.
For me I also really like great pictures especially if they are foods that I grow and can identify with. Also, easy to understand info graphics because the details are important not to miss and visuals always make my brain retain the information better. And I don’t know about you, but my heart does skip a beat at a good spreadsheet.
Why get a book when everything is online?
Online is a good reference for where to start, but it’s very difficult to really find a good focus on a particular topic that goes in-depth. It seems to really be a compilation of pieces of information or sound bites from all over the world. And these may or may not apply to your actual local geographic conditions. All the while you have to be the one to piecemeal it together. Whereas a book does all of this for you.
It’s truly important to know your zone because books that don’t apply to your growing area are not going to be helpful. Growing plants at the right time of year based on your local climate will always be more successful than trying to grow something out of season or that isn’t supposed to grow here. It’s not impossible, but for beginner gardeners, it’s a big learning curve and a lot of interventions.
Now onto the books!
The Week by Week Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook by Jennifer and Ron Kujawski
I love this book. I literally keep it on my desk. I find that it is a reference that helps me manage my schedule and prioritize what’s important on any given week of the year. I appreciate the breakdown and the to-do task list style that is written out that can easily be customized for a new gardener. It’s like a basic intro for almost every task you can find in a backyard garden.
The con: It’s only good for zones 4-6, so here in the states it’s not helpful for some of that southern gardeners that I have. It can also feel overwhelming when looking at all of the tasks to get done.
The Year Round Vegetable Gardener by Nikki Jabbour
When I started gardening I gardened in spring and summer like everyone else. I didn’t really grow much in the fall, I just let my summer stuff hang out until they died. Partly because succession planting seemed hard and our summer season is soo long anyway. But this book really changed how I looked at growing year round. It didn’t seem difficult anymore. The author is Canadian and has some really great detailed instructions for building cold frames or using other things to extend the season. And honestly, it’s a game changer in our region because we need such little intervention. She also gives timelines for when to start seeds, transplant and direct sow. (Another thing I give my members!)
The Con: Some feel that extension of the growing season is not the same as year round growing and feel that the title may be misleading.
The First-Time Gardener: Growing Vegetables: All the know-how and encouragement you need to grow by Jessica Sowards
I have followed this authors journey for years now. I started on her YT channel and her Instagram and I was super excited for her to write a book. I was also nervous for her. I love her book! It is so easy to read, but packed with information. She also likes the science behind growing so she gives a lot of the “why” in the garden. It is laid out for ease of learning. And I have to say, I’ve never met her, but I feel supported by her. Encouraged. I try my best to be a cheerleader for my clients the way she is. Her journey has been exciting to follow but her book is a testament to her experience.
The Con: She’s a story teller. Personally, it resonates with me wonderfully. But some readers want to just get to the meat of the matter.
The All New Square Foot Gardening II: The revolutionary way to grow more in less space by Mel Bartholomew
For many people when they find out about the square foot gardening methods their minds are blown. Revolutionary is in the title for a reason. And this author lays everything out for you making it incredibly user friendly. There are pictures for each stage of the process which makes for consistency across the square foot gardening method world. He also includes a bunch of planting plans if you don’t want to create yours from scratch. I really like this book and it is a clear and simple method of gardening. For many beginner gardeners breaking everything down into a square foot makes sense for their brain and can be a great place to start!
The Con: This is really only for raised bed gardening so for any beginner gardeners that are looking to plant in the ground, this wouldn’t work for you. I also felt that the Mel’s mix soil investment felt like a lot. And soil is the most important thing!
How to Grow More Vegetables, ninth edition: Than you ever thought possible on less land with less water than you can imagine by John Jeavons
This book has been around for years and at the time of it’s publication, sustainability wasn’t a thing. Growing organically in our spaces wasn’t the norm. And the idea of bio-intensive planting was new. Well, some people still don’t know what it is. I put this book in at the end, my fifth and last recommendation because this has soo much information that anyone who needs to see the numbers, yields, space calculations,etc will love this book. This book changed how I grew. This method is focused on less water and more sustainable practices while getting a high yield. It literally lays the groundwork for using a bio-intensive method for growing organically. And it can be applied to any size garden, large or small.
The Con: It’s a lot of information and for someone who has never gardened this can be overwhelming. I know, I’m here to take out that stress and anxiety and recommend easy books, but this method is easy once you understand it. I just wanted to take it up a notch for you!
Each of the books I’ve recommended offers something different. Recommending 5 books that were the same wouldn’t appeal to my diverse audience and clients. Finding the right method of gardening is really important. Otherwise you won’t want to go and do it! This is the perfect time of year to start planning your next step in your gardening journey. If it’s your first garden and how to set it up or if you are expanding your growing space, or if you want to learn a different method to see if it can increase your yield. The most important thing to do……is start! So, grab yourself a cup of your favorite beverage to read with, grab yourself one of these books and let me know where your journey is headed!
If you’re still here, enjoy these extra photos of just a girl and her books.
