Small Plot, Big Harvest

Description

Aimed at both urban and suburban gardeners with small plots, who want to be part of the grow-your-own phenomenon, Small Plot, Big Harvest celebrates what the vast majority of people have — a little bit of patio or garden that is precious to them. With at-a-glance crop planners, step-by-step gardening techniques — such as preparing soil, sowing, planting, watering, feeding, and growing under cover — and instructions and charts showing when to sow and when to harvest, Small Plot, Big Harvest brings foolproof vegetable growing for gardeners with little space. Contents 4 Why grow your own food? 8 Crops in small spaces 10 Essential tools and equipment 14 Deciding what to grow 16 Choosing the right spot 18 Preparing the soil 20 Sowing and planting 22 Getting an early start 24 Growing in raised beds 26 Growing in containers 28 Watering and feeding 30 Getting started 34 Planting the bed 36 Tending the crops 38 Plenty to pick 40 Ending the season 42 The easy-to-grow plot 44 The family plot 46 The gourmet plot 48 Tomatoes 54 Tomatoes 56 Peppers 58 Chili peppers 60 Chili peppers 62 Eggplant 64 Peas 68 Runner beans 70 Green beans 72 Green beans 74 Fava beans 76 Cucumbers 80 Zucchini 82 Summer squashes 84 Winter squashes 86 Winter squashes 88 Pumpkins 90 Summer and fall cabbages 94 Summer cabbages 96 Winter and spring cabbages 98 Cauliflower 100 Calabrese broccoli 102 Broccoli 104 Brussels sprouts 106 Kale 108 Lettuce 112 Lettuce 114 Cut-and-come-again salad 116 Microgreens 118 Asian greens 120 Spinach 122 Swiss chard 124 Chicory 126 Endive 128 Watercress 130 Radishes 134 Beets 136 Carrots 138 Turnips 140 Parsnips 142 Rutabaga 144 Potatoes 146 Potatoes 148 Onions 152 Onions 154 Shallots 156 Green onions 158 Leeks 160 Garlic 162 Sweet corn 166 Sweet corn 168 Kohlrabi 170 Florence fennel 172 Celery 174 Celery root 176 Asparagus 180 Globe artichokes 182 Jerusalem artichokes 184 Rhubarb 186 Annual herbs 190 Perennial herbs 192 Perennial herbs 194 Vegetable crop planner 196 Strawberries 200 Raspberries 202 Blackberries and hybrids 204 Red and white currants 206 Black currants 208 Gooseberries 210 Blueberries 212 Apples 214 Pears 216 Plums 218 Cherries 220 Peaches and nectarines 222 Figs 224 Fruit crop planner 226 The organic approach 230 Preventing problems 232 Common weeds 234 Avoiding pests and diseases 236 Common pests 238 Common diseases 242 Nutrient deficiencies 246 Useful resources 248 Index 250 Acknowledgments 256