Synopses & Reviews
The French, who are known for their style in all things, have long brought their artistry to bear on vegetable gardening, turning plots that could be merely utilitarian into gardens of real beauty.
The Art of French Vegetable Gardening explores this rich and varied tradition in a way that is both inspirational and practical. Combining 175 color photographs shot throughout France with an informative text,
The Art of French Vegetable Gardening explains how to create different styles of decorative vegetable gardens, from the strict geometries of formal tradition to the happy-intermingling of vegetables with flowers, herbs, and fruit trees beloved by organic gardeners. Each chapter offers useful advice and suggestions—applicable to gardens anywhere—while evoking the rich cultural context of the French potager as lovingly described by Colette, Proust, Gertrude Stein, and many others.
Elements of garden design—including layout, hedging, walls, benches, and vertical accents—are detailed, as are specific vegetables that can provide both beauty and flavor. Other topics include companion planting using herbs and flowers, heirloom and collectors' varieties, and even the vegetable garden in winter. An extensive appendix offers 80 classic Frnech recipes for vegetables, lists of plants American seed sources, and French vegetable gardens open to the public. Practical as well as beautiful, The Art of French Vegetable Gardening is an invaluable sourcebook to return to again and again.
Synopsis
An original look at the most beautiful French vegetable gardens, this book is both inspirational and practical. It combines 175 original color photos shot throughout France with an informative text. Elements of garden design--including layout, hedging or walls, benches, and vertical accents--are detailed. Includes an extensive list of resources and 80 recipe ideas.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 181) and index.
About the Author
Louisa Jones and her husband began gardening in southern France after buying an old farmstead surrounded by vineyards and fruit trees in 1975. Her exploration of the surrounding region led to her first book, Garderns of Provence, in 1992, followed by Provence: A Country Almanac, Gardens of the French Riviera, and The New Provencal Cuisine. Now she has enlarged her scope to all of France, exploring each region's traditions in the art of vegetable gardening.French photographer Gilles Le Scanff has been photographing gardens for more than 20 years. His work appears regularly in Mon Jardin, Ma Maison, Rustica, and European food magazines.French photographer Joelle Caroline Mayer has been photographing gardens for more than 20 years. Her work appears regularly in Mon Jardin, Ma Maison, Rustica, and European food magazines.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
STYLE
OUTLINES
ENCLOSURE
VERTICALS
THE BEAUTIFUL VEGETABLES
FLOWERS
HERBS and AROMATICS
SEASONS
REPOSE
APPENDIX
Ideas for Designing the Potager
Seed Sources
Gardens Cited Open to the Public
Books Consulted
Recipe Suggestions
INDEX