Gardening For Everyone: Growing Vegetables, Herbs, and More at Home by Julia Watkins

A guide to creating and growing a backyard kitchen garden simply and sustainably—from planning to planting to harvest, with profiles of essential vegetables and herbs, ecological tips, and fun and creative projects Growing food in your backyard (or through container gardening on a porch or windowsill!) is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to nourish yourself, be self-sufficient, and connect with nature in a hands-on way. Here sustainability expert Julia Watkins shares everything you need to know to grow your own vegetables, fruits, and herbs (as well as wildflowers and other beneficial companion plants). The book covers all the nuts and bolts of creating and caring for your garden—planning, building, planting, tending, and harvesting—followed by a deeper dive into the plants themselves: demystifying annuals vs. perennials, cold-weather vs. warm-weather veggies, and profiles of favorite crops. Throughout, Julia offers tips for creating an eco-friendly and sustainable garden (such as vermicomposting, no-till “lasagna” gardening, and attracting pollinators), plus some fun and unexpected hands-on DIY garden projects like how to build a bean teepee, make wildflower seed paper, and enjoy refreshing herbal lemonade ice pops. This friendly, sustainable approach will help you master key skills, including: Organic Gardening Methods: Learn sustainable, eco-friendly techniques like vermicomposting, attracting pollinators, and no-till “lasagna” gardening to build healthy, living soil. Read more