This is the Way My Garden Grows: And Comes Into the Kitchen

""I am a wayward, wilful, contrary gardener,'' the author proclaims with evident pride, and demonstrates convincingly in this encouraging, delightfully deviant excursion through the green and growing marvels of her own gardens. Borland breaks all the dreary rigid rules: She haphazardly discovers ways of saving time and labor: for example, by devoting three strenuous days to planting she needs to spend only three half-hours a week tending garden; uses weeds for beneath-soil water even in a drought; cuts down on fertilizer and eliminates most destructive bugs by planting in part-rows. In addition to discussing conventional vegetable gardens, she includes specialties: weekend, six-weeks-away, summer-away, child's gardens. While it breaks no new ground, the section devoted to recipes using garden produce is done with fine flair and attractive informality, filled with savory dishes bearing her mark. Borland is herself earthy, animated by an instinct for the mysteries of soil and water, and a contagious love for lovely growing things. Illustrations. (May 12)