The initial chapter of this book cover choice of site, soil requirements, preparing the plot, seeds and seedlings provides a useful introduction to vegetable gardening requirements. The final chapters very briefly cover troubleshooting (pests and diseases) and what to do in each of the seaons.
The main content of the book is on plants, with interspersed projects. The projects include interesting topics such as sweet potato slips, seed saving, forcing rhubarb.
I really liked the way the information on each vegetable is laid out in a clear consistent format, and includes details on where to grow, how to grow and a growing tip. Where appropriate notable varieties are recommended. A plant tag gives other useful information such as height spacing, edible part etc. All the common vegetables are included, but also some less common ones such as yacon, groundnuts, cucamelon and oca.
Any book from the prestigious Kew Gardens is a must for me to read; guaranteeing a useful and reliable resource. I was not disappointed; the section on the vegetables, in particular, is consistently laid out, concise and very informative. A great resource that could certainly get a 5* rating from me. However, (and this is a big however!) I have two frustrations with this book that lower my rating:
1. The listing of the plants is by their common names, with a subheading of the type, such as root, legume etc. However, they are ordered by their Latin name. How many vegetable gardeners call a French bean by its Latin name, Phaseolus vulgaris? You would need to know that in order to understand why parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is followed by French bean, then tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica) It certainly didn’t work for me and I was irritated by having to constantly go to the index to find a reference to the common name.
2. As with all the Kew books I have read, this one is beautifully laid out, with superb photographs and glorious illustrations. But why the mud spattered (I presume?) background to all the pages? It would look effective on a poster or leaflet, but page after page in a book it is simply distracting.

As always with the Kew books, another lovely, easy-to-read, high-level look at growing plants. I loved the plant-specific pages outlining planting and growing tips for a wide variety of vegetables, many of which are uncommon here in the U.S. I also liked the instructions for making a root clamp, and intend to try it for my root vegetable crops this year (hopefully it will stand up to Colorado snow).

Very useful book bursting with easy to follow information on growing a variety of vegetables. At a time when people are becoming much more health aware, and when plant based eating is hugely popular, there will be a big market for this book. It is also from a trusted source so it will appeal. All the basics are included complete with excellent illustrations, but this is also extended into more unusual vegetables, additional projects and a bit of foraging. A good reliable, easy to follow book for anyone wanting to have a go at growing their own.

This book is jam-packed with information and I can't wait to apply this new knowledge to my own gardening adventures.

This is a book that every Gardener should have! This book is packed with valuable information. The book starts by giving an introduction to growing vegetables and then goes on to teach you how to make raised beds, wildlife friendly gardens, rooting, seed saving and more. I highly recommend this book. This book would make a wonderful gift.

This is a delightful British book that teaches you how to grow common and uncommon vegetables of all kinds. There are so many veggies covered here that I grow in my garden or want to grow and never find in American garden books -- artichokes, parsnips, tomatillas, pak choi, soybeans and on and on. Lots of the ones covered are also wild vegetables that you can forage like miner's lettuce, watercress, sorrel, jerusalem artichokes, seakale and American groundnut. Many southern staples are included here that are often left out of American gardening books too, such as peanuts and okra.

Lovely botanical illustrations are included of the plants along with garden info, hardiness ranges (keep in mind it's designed for British readers but it can be easily converted), and so on. There are also lots of projects such as forcing rhubarb, saving seeds and building a root clamp.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.