The Vertical Veg Guide to Container Gardening

Home-grown produce can “help you become more involved in your community, support and observe nature, recycle food waste and live more sustainably,” posits Vertical Veg blogger Smith in this thorough and enthusiastic guide to vegetable gardening. Smith addresses the “unique challenges” of growing in containers in cities (including space limitations, not enough sun, and too much wind), and offers up “eight steps to success.” These include choosing crops based on how much sun is available, selecting the right container size, using high-quality compost, checking drainage, spacing out crops, feeding and watering, and careful observation. He dispenses step-by-step instructions for designing a container garden, lists the best herbs and vegetables for beginners, provides solutions for such common problems as too much wind or not enough shade, and suggests tips for making one’s own wormery (which is “like learning to ride a bike: easy once you’ve got the knack”). Both handy and hefty, Smith’s guide includes many photos, a glossary of plant terms, and a list of common and botanical names for the plants mentioned in the book, and newbies will be encouraged by how often he returns to his guiding mantra that one should “keep it simple.” Aspiring urban gardeners will want to give this a look. (Mar.)