Here in New York, we have had our first freeze, which signaled the end of my summer garden. After that furious last picking before the arrival of cold temperatures, along with cleaning and prepping my garden beds for next year, my attention now turns to next year’s plan. That means reading seed catalogs and devouring garden books. The Complete Container Herb Gardening book checked all my boxes for a useful and practical read, with some great ideas for attractive herb groupings, and some very lovely pictures.
The book is divided into three parts: Cultivate Your Herbal Style, Grow This! Easy Herb Container Projects and Plant and Tend Your Herb Containers. There is a lot of information, from choosing the right pot, soil, and location, herbs that attract pollinators and caring for your plants. Also, there are some very good ideas for what to do with all the herbs you grow. I learned something interesting in each chapter, but my favorite section explained herb propagation.
So many people started gardens in 2020, and this would make a lovely gift. Whether you only have room for one pot or have an entire patio or backyard, if you are interested in herbs, this is a great resource. I will be adding a physical copy to my gardening bookshelf too!

Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book via netgalley!

Great ideas for anyone! Whether you live in a small condo or a big house...whether you want to go ecological or fancy! Lots of beautiful images to help your creativity as well!

I’m a Goetz fan. She always writes with a no nonsense approach that I appreciate.

This is a great book for beginners. It provides general guidance regarding the basics of planting – picking pots, soil, sun/shade, water, plants. In part two, Goetz provides ideas for growing different categories of herbs – such as culinary, medicinal, beverages, beauty, housekeeping, and pollinators. Obviously, some herbs can fall into more than one category. I love the side-bar boxes that list the specific herbs needed for each project. It makes an easy reference point.

For the featured herbs, Goetz gives a quick summary of why that plant is included in the particular category – but if you’re wanting more specific information about each herb, it would be best to reference another resource.
Overall, the book layout and content is good. The photos are beautiful. My only critique is that some of the project instructions lack the detail (both written and pictures) beginners might need to succeed.

https://patch405.com/2020/11/03/book-review-by-candlelight/

Container gardening is very special for buckets of reasons from natural insect repellent to flavouring food to creating vibrant interior to making tea blends. Caring for plants is wonderful for mental health. It just feels good.

The author provides the hows, whats and whys in a beautiful all-sensory book resplendent with gorgeous photographs including the gingko topiary, windowboxes, rusty wheelbarrow and mossy containers. She includes various recipes for seasoning blends, tea, cleaner, etc. She encourages readers to use whatever space is available, indoors or out, balcony or living wall. Organic and inorganic container examples include plastic, ceramic, metal, iron, terra cotta, stone, concrete, chimney flues...whatever you have. I make hypertufa so use that as well as anything interesting I find.

Of course factors affect what you grow where such as weather, critters, sun exposure and space. Soil medium is discussed as are plant combinations. If you want advice on how to attract butterflies, you'll find it here. Culinary herbs? Yes, that too. Bee watering spot? You guessed it!

I look forward to making the foot soak next year! I am a master gardener and learned from this, though it is accessible to anyone. Well laid out and designed. I like that you not only are shown plants but what to do with them at all stages and keep them healthy.

My sincere thank you to Quarto Publishing Group - Cool Spring Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this stunning book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.

Complete Container Herb Garden by Sue Goetz is perfect for those of us who are looking to learn about all things herbs and planting. I really had no idea how to go about starting a herb garden, but this book laid out a clear and easy to follow guide. It breaks down different containers, what’s best together, and different conditions for your planting. Definitely a great book to read if you are looking for guidance on starting your herb gardening.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

Complete Container Herb Gardening is a visual delight enticing readers to embrace the versatility of herb gardening. It makes it accessible to everyone regardless of the amount of space they have. The author covers all sorts of things from choosing containers and soil, to recipes using herbs. A selection of herbs are spotlighted and full instructions are given for everything. It is a book that would suit all levels and would make a great gift in these difficult times.

A nice introduction to container gardening. I’ve been doing it for years, but I’m always interested in tips and new things. The book covers many aspects, from choosing the pots to making beverages from the herbs you’ve grown. It’s a quick read, but you’ll find the info you need to get it right from the start the important things of water, light, and placement are all covered. I especially appreciate the part of growing herbs indoors.