Angela S. Judd - How to Grow Your Own Food: An Illustrated Beginners Guide to Container Gardening

How to Grow Your Own Food

An Illustrated Beginners Guide to Container Gardening

Angela S. Judd

Includes 50 Organic Fruits, Veggies, Herbs, and More

Adams Media

An Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

57 Littlefield Street

Avon, Massachusetts 02322

www.SimonandSchuster.com

Copyright 2021 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Adams Media Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

First Adams Media hardcover edition May 2021

ADAMS MEDIA and colophon are trademarks of Simon & Schuster.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or .

The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com.

Interior design by Priscilla Yuen

Illustrations by Nicola DosSantos

Interior images 123RF/Algirdas Urbonavicius, Anna Kutukova, roystudio

Cover design by Sylvia McArdle

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for.

ISBN 978-1-5072-1572-2

ISBN 978-1-5072-1573-9 (ebook)

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Simon & Schuster, Inc., was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

Always follow safety and commonsense cooking protocols while using kitchen utensils, operating ovens and stoves, and handling uncooked food. If children are assisting in the preparation of any recipe, they should always be supervised by an adult.

This book is intended as general information only, and should not be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. In light of the complex, individual, and specific nature of health problems, this book is not intended to replace professional medical advice. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions in this book are intended to supplement, not replace, the advice of a trained medical professional. Consult your physician before adopting any of the suggestions in this book, as well as about any condition that may require diagnosis or medical attention. The author and publisher disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of this book.

For Haley (my favorite millennial), who wants to garden but isnt sure where to begin.

Thanks to my husband, Jeff, without whose patience in editing and parenting, combined with his love, encouragement, and late-night pep talks, this book would not have happened. To our children, Haley, Dallin, Grant, Tyler, and Calvin, who encouraged me and kept the chaos to a minimum while I was writing. A special shout-out to Tyler, who gave up his bedroom so I could have an office while everyone was home during the pandemic.

Love and appreciation to my mom, who kept my family well fed while I was busy writing. Also, thanks to Julia Jacques, editor at Adams Media, for giving me the opportunity to write this book.

Finally, Im grateful to everyone who has nurtured my green thumb and taught me to see the magic inside a seed and the joy of spending time in a garden.

Are you looking to grow your own organic food but feel like you dont have the skills or knowledge to do it?

Maybe you only have a limited amount of outdoor spaceor possibly even none! Perhaps youve only experimented with growing houseplants, and the idea of growing actual fruits and vegetables seems a bit more complicated. Maybe youre excited to get growingbut simply wondering where to start.

No matter where you are, How to Grow Your Own Food will give you the knowledge and confidence to successfully grow your own food in containers. Container gardening is a simple way to begin gardening and ideal if you have limited experience and/or space. If you have a balcony, patio, patch of grass, or even a driveway or sidewalk, you can add a container or two and get started right away! Container gardening is also a great option if you have a garden but would like to add more space, lengthen your growing seasons, or grow some plants indoors.

In this book youll learn about:

• The why of gardeningthe basic principles of gardening that will help you successfully grow your own food.
• The what of gardeningwhat exactly you need to get started growing your own food.
• The how of gardeninghow to grow your own food in containers (including easy-to-understand steps that take you through planning, setting up, planting, and caring for your container garden).

Youll also find a list of fifty plants that grow well in containers, all with illustrations, in-depth growing instructions, and tips. Find a vegetable, herb, flower, or fruit that catches your eye, then read about how to grow it. Find the right container for the selected plants, and you are ready to begin planting! Build on your successes and learn from your mistakes each season. And dont forget to add more containers as your experience and confidence growalong with your garden!

Are you ready to grow your own food? In Chapter 5, youll find listings for dozens of plants to get you started. If youre a beginner, consider paying special attention to the ones that are easiest to grow. Under the Difficulty section for each plant, three levels are listed:

These plants are simple to grow and have the fewest steps from planting to harvest.

These plants may have a couple of extra steps required for growing successand there are things to look out for along the way.

These plants can be difficult to grow for various reasonsbut dont be afraid to give them a try! Level 3 crops require more effort, but everything you need to know is included in the entry. Read the growing information carefully and follow each step to be successful.

Choosing the right container for the plants you select is crucial. Each entry details the minimum size to use for that plant to thrive. Use the Container Sizes section in Chapter 2 to determine what size container your plant needs. When you select the right-size container, your new plant will have enough soil, air, water, and nutrients to happily grow and provide you with a delicious harvest.

Pay attention to the light requirements in each entry, and place your containers where they will receive enough sun. Follow the guidelines of the When to Plant sections for the greatest chance of a successful harvest. As questions arise, consult Chapter 4: Helpful Terms to Know, as well as the tables in Appendix A, which provide simple, clear information on troubleshooting common problems and information on how to manage pests in a safe, organic way.