Synopses & Reviews
There’s no substitute for the fresh, homegrown taste of fruits and vegetables harvested from a California garden. Whether you garden in the southern, central, or northern part of the state, California Fruit & Vegetable Gardening has the answers to your how-to-grow questions. This easy-to-follow guide features:Planting, care, and harvesting information for more than 60 ediblesPopular vegetable selections from artichokes to turnipsA variety of common and unusual fruits, nuts, and herbsAdvice on garden planning, creating the perfect soil, watering, and more We’ve seen the commercials, and we all know the stereotypes about California: blue skies, endless sunshine, orange groves, rolling vineyards, everything healthy, lush, and green. The reality is that while gardening in California is in many ways a remarkably easy endeavor, it can be quite challenging to figure out what to do when. California is not a small place, and it is known for its diverse environment. There aren’t just a few USDA horticultural zones running through the state; there are twelve of them. California Fruit & Vegetable Gardening tells you everything you need to know to be successful. No matter if you want to plant a large plot, just a container garden, or a tasty kitchen garden, you’ll be sure to find California Fruit & Vegetable Gardening an invaluable resource. It’s the next best thing to having a master gardener as your neighbor.
Synopsis
California abounds with edible selections to grow in the diverse conditions of the state. California Fruit and Vegetable Gardening addresses the critical elements of climate, soil, sun, and water that affects growing success. More than sixty fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers are highlighted, and helpful charts and graphs for planning and planting the garden are included.
About the Author
Claire Splan is a gardener and freelance writer in Alameda, California. After buying her first house in 2002, she began taking horticulture classes and remaking the gardens at her home, writing about her experiences there and her growing interest in gardening and environmental issues at her garden blog, An Alameda Garden (alamedagarden.blogspot.com). A member of the Garden Writers Association, Claire has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle, Rosebud, and Firsts magazine and reviews gardening books for the New York Journal of Books (www.nyjournalofbooks.com). She has degrees from the University of Southern California and the University of San Francisco and has studied landscape horticulture at Merritt College. Claire is the author of Cool Springs Press' California Fruit and Vegetable Gardening (2012) and California Month-by-Month Gardening (due to publish in 2014).Blog: http://alamedagarden.blogspot.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/AlamedaGardenerNY Journal of Books: http://nyjournalofbooks.com/reviewer/claire-splan
Table of Contents
Contents
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Where in California Are You? The USDA Hardiness Zone Map
Gardening in california
Growing Your Own: The Garden
How to Get Started
Starting at the Beginning with Seeds
Creating the Perfect Soil
Watering & Other Necessities
Pests & Diseases
Bugs
Diseases
Fruits, Herbs, Nuts & Vegetables
Almond
Apple
Apricot
Artichoke
Asparagus
Avocado
Banana
Basil
Bean
Beet
Blueberry
Brambleberry
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Cherry
Cilantro
Citrus
Corn
Cucumber
Eggplant
Fig
Garlic
Grape
Guava
Kale
Kiwi
Kohlrabi
Leek
Lettuce
Loquat
Melon
Okra
Olive
Onion
Parsley
Parsnip
Passion fruit
Peas
Peach
Pear
Pecan
Pepper
Persimmon
Pineapple guava
Plum
Pomegranate
Potato
Quince
Radish
Rhubarb
Spinach
Squash
Strawberry
Sweet potato
Swiss chard
Thyme
Tomato
Turnip
Glossary
Resources
For Further Reading
Photography Credits
Garden Notes
Index
Meet Claire Splan