Sometimes reading like a botany class textbook, this volume is for gardeners who want to follow their plants from conception onward; it is also a great source for those wanting to start a nursery or catalogue seed business. Experts Terry and Mark Silber provide a wealth of information on how to propagate seeds and how to detect the difference between "responsible" catalogues and irresponsible ones, as well as illuminating sidebars about often baffling subjects such as soil pH and the importance of those hard-to-remember botanical names. The book is organized into general directions about germinating seeds--chapter subheadings include 'choosing the right container' and 'buying plants locally.' This general lesson is followed by focused directions for herbs and vegetables, and finally a specific guide to growing 39 vegetables and 48 herbs.

Not for the beginner or the halfway committed gardener, this is nevertheless illuminating reading for someone who wants to understand the garden's life cycle. And while I was taught by my grandmother that growing from seeds meant you were a "glutton for punishment," the Silbers don't seem like masochists at all--they just seem thoroughly immersed in the complexities of plant life. --Emily White

From Publishers Weekly
Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience at Hedgehog Hill Farm in Sumner, Maine, the Silbers (A Small Farm in Maine) share their combined knowledge in this well-organized and thorough garden primer. An abundance of detailed, specific information explains the basics of garden planning (including a look at the explosion of horticultural information on the Internet and how best to choose among all the glossy seed and plant catalogues), propagation, transplanting and the cultivation and care of both new and mature gardens. Committed seed savers, the authors advocate a "raised-bed total-mulch program," which involves preserving heirloom varieties and creating a thriving garden by planting in wide, raised rows protected by weed-suppressing mulch. Comprehensive chapters on cultivating both vegetables and herbs cover everything from asparagus to tomatoes and angelica to wormwood, and include an eclectic assortment of recipes (salsa, homemade sauerkraut, herb tempura) and tips on preserving root vegetables and drying herbs. The workmanlike tone of the book is offset by the expert advice offered by these experienced gardeners. (Nov.) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
The Silbers (The Complete Book of Everlastings) currently grow over 500 species of annuals, perennials, vegetables, and herbs at Hedgehog Hill Farm in Maine where they have been full-time farmers for 20 years. Their new book offers detailed, easy-to-understand advice on how to start vegetables and herbs from seedAboth indoors and planting seeds directly into garden beds. They discuss the entire process from choosing varieties of seed to starting the seed to planting the beds. Next the authors discuss individual species of vegetables and herbs, giving specific seeding, planting, cultural, harvesting, and storage information, as well as explaining seed harvesting techniques. A final chapter covers preparing and storing seeds. Useful, easy-to-read charts summarize seeding specifics, while numerous boxed sections add information on topics from blanching crops to using cold frames. Highly recommended for both beginning and experienced gardeners.ASue O'Brien, Downers Grove P.L., IL Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
An indispensable, wonderfully motivating growing guide, based on three decades of gardening experience, from the cofounders of Hedgehog Hill Farm in Sumner, Maine.

The Silbers tell us how to go about searching for just the right seeds, plants, and information; how to determine the number of plants we need; how to set up a germinating area; how to seed and transplant; how to use cold frames and other methods of "hardening off" our seedlings. They take us into the garden and explain how to evaluate soils and break up top growth. We learn about setting out plants; about direct seeding in mulched areas and open ground; about weeding, watering, and fertilizing. They share their wisdom about controlling insect damage and battling plant diseases; about accommodating animals while protecting crops; about harvesting, fall cleanup, and collecting, saving, and storing seeds from our own gardens.

Specific, detailed instructions are given for growing 37 vegetables--alphabetically arranged from asparagus to turnips--and 51 herbs, from angelica to woad. Well-organized charts make it easy to find essential information quickly, and drawings and photographs provide visual direction. Conveniently located sidebars give us guidance on such topics as growing hot peppers, planting mesclun, making sauerkraut, braiding onions, blanching cauliflower, growing moth-repellent herbs, making herb tempura and vinegars, and crystallizing flowers.

Here is a book guaranteed to inspire us to dig into the gardening catalogues and then into the earth to begin the adventure of producing our very own bountiful harvest.

From the Inside Flap
An indispensable, wonderfully motivating growing guide, based on three decades of gardening experience, from the cofounders of Hedgehog Hill Farm in Sumner, Maine.

The Silbers tell us how to go about searching for just the right seeds, plants, and information; how to determine the number of plants we need; how to set up a germinating area; how to seed and transplant; how to use cold frames and other methods of "hardening off" our seedlings. They take us into the garden and explain how to evaluate soils and break up top growth. We learn about setting out plants; about direct seeding in mulched areas and open ground; about weeding, watering, and fertilizing. They share their wisdom about controlling insect damage and battling plant diseases; about accommodating animals while protecting crops; about harvesting, fall cleanup, and collecting, saving, and storing seeds from our own gardens.

Specific, detailed instructions are given for growing 37 vegetables--alphabetically arranged from asparagus to turnips--and 51 herbs, from angelica to woad. Well-organized charts make it easy to find essential information quickly, and drawings and photographs provide visual direction. Conveniently located sidebars give us guidance on such topics as growing hot peppers, planting mesclun, making sauerkraut, braiding onions, blanching cauliflower, growing moth-repellent herbs, making herb tempura and vinegars, and crystallizing flowers.

Here is a book guaranteed to inspire us to dig into the gardening catalogues and then into the earth to begin the adventure of producing our very own bountiful harvest.

About the Author
Terry and Mark Silber are gardeners, designers, photographers, writers, and proprietors of Hedgehog Hill Farm. Both Terry and Mark lived and worked in the Boston area before moving to Maine. Mark's previous books include Rural Maine, Family Album, Thoreau Country, Racing Stock, and Sumner 200. Terry wrote A Small Farm in Maine, and together the Silbers are the authors of The Complete Book of Everlastings.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

An indispensable, wonderfully motivating growing guide, based on three decades of gardening experience, from the cofounders of Hedgehog Hill Farm in Sumner, Maine.

The Silbers tell us how to go about searching for just the right seeds, plants, and information; how to determine the number of plants we need; how to set up a germinating area; how to seed and transplant; how to use cold frames and other methods of "hardening off" our seedlings. They take us into the garden and explain how to evaluate soils and break up top growth. We learn about setting out plants; about direct seeding in mulched areas and open ground; about weeding, watering, and fertilizing. They share their wisdom about controlling insect damage and battling plant diseases; about accommodating animals while protecting crops; about harvesting, fall cleanup, and collecting, saving, and storing seeds from our own gardens.

Specific, detailed instructions are given for growing 37 vegetables—alphabetically arranged from asparagus to turnips—and 51 herbs, from angelica to woad. Well-organized charts make it easy to find essential information quickly, and drawings and photographs provide visual direction. Conveniently located sidebars give us guidance on such topics as growing hot peppers, planting mesclun, making sauerkraut, braiding onions, blanching cauliflower, growing moth-repellent herbs, making herb tempura and vinegars, and crystallizing flowers.

Here is a book guaranteed to inspire us to dig into the gardening catalogues and then into the earth to begin the adventure of producing our very own bountiful harvest.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly