This book is wonderful! Full of information but straightforward and not overwhelming. You'll find a reference for 62 different veggies, herbs, fruits that includes soil and water needs, planting depth, what type of pest could harm your plant, and when to harvest, and how to store after harvesting. I will definitely be getting a hard copy for my bookshelf for easier reference!

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am passionate about growing organic food, and I found the contents of this book easy to understand and most insightful. A recommended read for all organic gardeners.

This was such a helpful book. Especially when my boyfriend and I are planning to have a homestead in our future.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this ecopy in exchange for an honest review.

This one's okay there's something significant about it that stands out, but there's also nothing about it that makes me angry. It's a pretty average rate overall

Like other books in this series, this is a good basic book with lots of information for the new gardener, albeit a rather generic one. There are lots of details about the plants covered, though I personally prefer a more modern, sustainable plan that’s more permaculture based and hands off. Still a great resource for new gardeners.

A great guide for those who want to begin growing more of their own food in a natural way. A good reference book with helpful information.

This provided a lot of different information in one source on all different types of plants. I found the charts and info on companion plants helpful, but I didn't find that this had a lot of information I couldn't have found from other sources. I think this is a good book for someone who is new to gardening and wants one resource to go to.

I love this series! If you are a beginning gardener with a few seasons under their belt I think this is a great book to take you to the next level. Organic gardening is fulfilling but it isn't easy. I love all of the information provided for each fruit or vegetable. Everything is in one place from the information you need to start out successfully to the info you need to preserve your harvest. Having all of that information in one place is a lifesaver for those who find themselves having to flip between books to get all of the information they need for just one plant. The companion planting information was very helpful. That's one of the main ways I'm trying to improve with my gardening. Overall, a great edition to the series for small and backyard gardeners.

4.2 ⭐️
Down to the dirty details! This is a great reference guide for beginner level gardeners, as well as those (like myself) who have been slowly dabbling but still aren’t 100% sure what they’re doing 😄

🥦 Offers detailed tips for 28 vegetables, 18 fruits and nuts, and 15 herbs - all very common for the US. Includes recommendations for temperature, sunlight, size and spacing, soil needs, fertilizing, seed start and transplant timing, harvesting, plant compatibility and common pests and diseases for each respective plant.

🐛 An entire section is dedicated to identifying common pests and diseases and treating organically. This is a section I will be referencing often!

📊 The very last chapter has a nice quick reference chart for great plant allies and companions to compliment each other and help prevent pests.

❌ What this doesn’t include is any
images, or garden landscape setup visuals or recommendations. It also doesn’t make reference to any healing properties of plants (I got excited when I saw a chapter labeled “organic remedies” and upon reading realized that was referring to organic treatment for pests/diseases). But it also didn’t promise to do any of that.

👩🏻‍🌾 All-in-all, it’s a very helpful reference guide for many common US crops. I’ll be using these tips to improve upon my gardening skills this year for sure.

Thanks to NetGalley, Storey Publishing, and Tanya Denckla Cobb for providing me with a complimentary ARC to review!

I absolutely loved The Backyard Homestead, so I knew I would absolutely love this book!! It was incredibly informative and easy to find a specific plant you want to grow and to find a specific problem you are having with your plant.

There aren’t as many illustrations in this book, but when there is, it’s really nice to look at. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to grow a garden, no matter how big or small the garden is. It is such a great book to learn from and it will also spark interest in other plants that you didn’t even think about growing.

This is a great home grower's guide to successfully grow a variety of plant species in your backyard. I have read many gardening books, but this one had something a little different toward the end. I think the most useful part of this book is the section regarding various plant diseases and the natural actions you can take to improve the conditions of your garden, be it the plant, the soil, or the pests.

I will definitely be using this book as reference in 2024's growing season.

*** Thank you to Storey Publishing for providing this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was a great glimpse on creating a self-sustainable garden discussing everything from earthworms, compost, mulch, and bugs to seeds and planting.
There are detailed passages on the basic plants and herbs most people will grow in their gardens (not a great book if you're wanting to grow rarer plants or herbs but fantastic for a beginner wanting to grow things like tomatoes and lettuce).
The best part of the book is the section on Garden Remedies. There are pages of common ailments you will find in the garden, tips for prevention, and recipes and ideas for dealing with common diseases and pests.
This book is very basic. No illustrations or frills. But for someone who wants a no-nonsense quick reference guide for a basic garden, this is a great book to have on your shelf.

A great guide to organising space for your own and others' benefits. It provides a template that can inspire those with the smallest of spaces, to be creative, cultivate and grow. This is a practical guidebook that many people will be proud to read and use. With food air miles contributing to the pollution of the earth's climate, there has never been a better time to learn these critical skills.

The Backyard Homestead Guide to Growing Organic Food by Tanya Denckla Cobb holds its hand as both a comprehensive reference and a practical handbook, but struggles to find a comfortable middle ground. Packed with information on 62 crops, it throws the kitchen sink of planting techniques, pest control recipes, and companion planting charts at you, leaving you feeling a bit overwhelmed at times.

On the upside, the sheer depth of knowledge is impressive. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a complete newbie, there's something to glean from Cobb's years of experience. The crop-by-crop breakdowns are meticulous, detailing everything from sunlight needs to harvest times. The pest control section, with its DIY recipes for sprays and barriers, feels especially empowering.

However, the information overload can be daunting. Jumping between meticulous planting instructions and esoteric companion planting charts felt disjointed, and the writing occasionally veers into textbook territory, losing its conversational charm. Additionally, the book's focus on North American climates might leave readers in other regions scrambling for adaptations.

Overall, The Backyard Homestead Guide to Growing Organic Food is a valuable resource for any aspiring homesteader, but its encyclopedic approach might benefit from a bit more organization and regional tailoring. A strong 3 stars for the wealth of information, but it loses a bit of shine without a clearer path through it.

This book is a plethora of information! I would definitely recommend getting the paper version so you can take it off a shelf and. look at whatever you are researching. Loads of information that you can apply in any garden, pot or just for fun. Great book!

Thank you, Storey Publishing, for the advance reading copy.

This is for adults who are interested in gardening and farming vegetables. The guidebook will provide the basic instructions on seeds, when to start planting for each specific vegetable mentioned alongside their common pests/diseases, their harvesting time and their basic care in very brief details.

I would say this will help with most plants/vegetables anywhere. However, the guidebook would be more interesting with real pictures with some of the basic tools we can use.

Overall a good informative guide for every household.

This book is amazing! I love this whole series. The Backyard Homestead has been integral in my own homestead life. This book just adds perfection to the series. It has everything you would need to know in growing, anything harmful to your plants, herbs, etc. Seriously, so great! I will definitely be buying this in hardback form!

When I first picked The Backyard Homestead Guide to Growing Organic Food to review, I must admit that I wasn't quite sure what to expect. The charming, somewhat whimsical cover design left me a bit sceptical. However, once I got into the contents of the book, I was completely floored. It turned out to be full of in-depth information that surpassed any growing guide I had encountered before.

This book not only covers the basics but delves deep into the finer details of organic food cultivation. From precise planting measurements to insightful tips on companion planting and compatibility, it provides a level of guidance that is truly impressive. The author's knowledge shines through in their thorough explanations and practical advice.

The guide includes comprehensive sections on identifying and addressing common problems that gardeners often encounter. This guidance is invaluable for someone like me who is just starting out on their growing journey. I feel that this guide is an essential resource for anyone wanting to grow organic food successfully, It's a must-have for both novice and experienced gardeners alike. It not only enhances your understanding of organic gardening but equips you with the tools and knowledge to create a thriving, sustainable garden.

5 stars from me!

So many tips and ideas in her for beginners and gardeners alike. Definitely will come in handy for my gardening plans.

I requested this on NetGalley and obviously got accepted. This is a great reference tool that I will be buying when it becomes available. If you're looking to get into the Organic side of gardening I'd pick this up. It's got a great pest preventative section and crop reference section.
I posted this on my Goodreads, not sure how to share that like.