Posted by:
Sunset, February 24, 2010 in Books
, Edibles
, Techniques
By Sharon Cohoon, Sunset senior garden writer
I just received my copy of the Western Garden Book of Edibles. And since I had no part in creating it I feel I can brag on the book as much as I want.
As the title above would indicate, I'm not very far into Edibles yet. I did browse through the whole thing once to see how it was laid out. But now I'm going through it page by page, and it's been a true pleasure.
The Western Garden Book of Edibles is beautifully organized and meticulously researched. Knowing my co-blogger Jim McCausland was at the helm, I should have expected nothing less. Still I'm impressed.
The photographs are also gorgeous and inspring--and there's one or more on nearly every page. Again, why should I be surprised? Our trusty garden photo editor, Linda Lamb Peters, was in charge of that department. Naturally she'd find good stuff.
What is a surprise, though, is how much I'm learning. For instance, how to meet the challenge of dealing with Brassica pests.
Though I've grown leafy Brassicas like collards and kale, I have yet to try my hand at boccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbages. I've been a little daunted by the pests I might have to deal with, I guess. But I've learned the same deterrents work for all of these crops, and, frankly, they don't sound that difficult to do.
You can prevent root maggots, I've learned, by covering the seedlings with row covers. Or, alternatively, by ringing the base of each plant with a tar-paper collar or covering each plant with a cone fashioned from a window screen. To deter cutworms, make collars from paper cups or metal cans with the ends removed.
That doesn't sound too hard, does it? I feel empowered. Savoy cabbage, shown below, here I come.
I am also intrigued with the idea it is possible to develop corn seed perfectly adapted to your neighborhood. You start by sowing an open-pollinated corn that is supposed to do well in your climate. When the corn has ripened, you leave one or two ears on each plant that had some quality you wanted to perpetuate -- particuarly good flavor or robust growth, for instance.
After the silk has dried,you'd put paper bags over the ears to protect them. At season's end, you pick the ears, peel back the husks, hang the ears to dry in a place where the kernels will dry completely. And, once they have, break off the seed, store it in a cool, dark place, and then plant the seed the following spring.
Repeat this process for a few years, and you'll have corn uniquely adapted to where you live.
I don't know where I will find room for corn in my small yard, but, being a Midwest girl and addicted to corn on the cob--and now a corn risotto recipe from Sunset as well, I have to try this.
I'll post more about what I'm learning as I make my way through Edibles. Don't wait for me, though. I'm only on page 42. Buy your own copy.
Read what Jim learned researching this book here.
For a little preview of what the book is like also see 21 Best Crops for Your Edible Garden.