THE COMPLETE BOOK OF EDIBLE LANDSCAPING

by Rosalind Creasy ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 25, 1982

Edible can be beautiful, as well as economical and pleasurable--plus ""saving water, energy, soil, and native plants, and controlling pollution."" Creasey isn't merely out to replace lawns with mint and thyme, or to substitute fruit-bearing apple trees for today's non-fruiting specimens. ""I'll talk of combining flowers and selected vegetables in perennial borders; substituting edible, ornamental shrubs for barren ornamentals in foundation plantings; and using handsome nut trees for shade."" This is creative expertise, balancing the decorative and culinary uses of plants, and carried through without preachment. (Creasey doesn't miss a chance, though, to cite unsuspected rewards--like capping a French meal with homegrown Alpine strawberries.) Most of the first half tells how-to--methodically and thoroughly, from landscape planning (with many, diverse examples) to actual planting and maintenance (including pest, weed, and disease control). The second half is an encyclopedia of edible plants proper: the effort required, salient traits, uses (in kitchen and landscape), instructions for growing, tips on purchasing. A brief final section features sources of plants and further information. Creasey is a California landscape designer with good environmentalist credentials; you can trust her eye and her advice.

Pub Date: March 25, 1982

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Sierra Club--dist. by Scribners

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1982

Categories: NONFICTION