Caveat: I haven't actually used any of the ideas in this book yet, but I'm trying out one of them this spring. This looks like an excellent guide for folks who are just starting out in vegetable gardening, or who (like me) have been gardening for years with indifferent success. Has several different garden plans for different configurations and situations, with directions for expanding them over a three-year period. Starts out with things that are easier to grow, then adds more difficult ones over time. Some advice on adapting the plans to your site would have been a good addition, as would a discussion of crop rotation (they do it, but don't talk about it). Hopefully, after three years the gardener will have picked up enough additional information to continue on their own.

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No only is the book visually stunning, but it's darn useful too.

Based on the theory that with a good plan you can't fail, Barbara Pleasant shows you the three year plan for multiple garden layouts with year by year guilds to make this a fun no fail hobby. What Pleasant does, is gives you not only a shopping list, but a step by step plan for easy gardens from first time gardener to "beyond" beginner. I guess it's up to you how you want to rank yourself. Using planting guides and crop rotations, you too can have the garden that you have always wanted, but have only been able to see in magazines.

Definitely a must have and a must keep on your shelf for years to come with insight and experience from a master gardener.

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