Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #510130 in Books
• Published on: 2001-12-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 112 pages

From Publishers Weekly
The latest installment in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's 21st Century Gardening series assembles an impressive group of botanists, horticulturists, seed merchants and other experts who not only explain the specifics of propagating plants from seed but also make a compelling case for the importance of seed preservation and genetic diversity. Geared for the natural gardener, the book takes an organic approach and includes essays by contributors such as Shepherd Ogden, founder of the well-known seed company The Cook's Garden, and MacArthur fellowship grantee Kent Whealy, each of whom tackles a different aspect of the topic, from the how-tos of planting to specific information on edibles and heirloom flowers. Splendidly designed and visually enlivened by full-color photos and illustrations, sidebars and an eye-pleasing sprinkling of topical quotes from such diverse sources as Persian poetry, Arthur Miller and the Bible, this handbook is packed with information, including a list of seed sources. By selecting writers passionate about their subject, the editors ensure both a literate format and a lively read (Peter Loewer's thumbnail overview in the chapter entitled "Seed Specifics," for instance, will snare the interest of even the botanically impaired). This eminently useful book is a steal and should be snapped up by every gardener, serious or novice.

Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

A Seed is Something Special Indeed
Over the years, the diversity of seeds available to the gardener has decreased considerably. For vegetables, for instance, the number of non-hybrid varieties offered by seed companies is approximately 5,000 between 1984 and 1994, according to one of the authors in this fine book. Not only is this a matter of concern in terms of the stability of our food supply--lack of genetic diversity makes the few remaining species that are widely used much more vulnerable to unforseen problems--it means that many gardeners are being denied the opportunity to grow vegetables that are widely held to be better tasting. One solution is to grow heirlooms and save the seeds year after year, and Starting From Seed is a concise and readable introduction to the vital process of starting and collecting seeds. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to other beginner organic gardeners.