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Jekka's Complete Herb Book
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21 new or used available from £2.50
Average customer review:
Product Description
Jekka McVicar has spent over twenty years growing herbs. She knows from experience which herbs will grow, and grow well; and which will succeed when grown at home. Her practical knowledge as a herb farmer is second to none, and is constantly increasing as new varities come on the market, or as she experiments with improved species. Only the herbs that Jekka has first hand experience of are included in this guide - some 335 of them. All are accompanied by tips on seasonalcultivation, growing from seed and cuttings, along with their individual history. All of this is augmented by over 200 culinary ideas and recipes.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #278152 in Books
- Published on: 2001-02-15
- Original language: English
- Binding: Paperback
- 256 pages
Editorial Reviews
Review
One of the most definitive books on the subject, "Jekka's Complete Herb Book" is now available in paperback. Written by Jekka McVicar, organic herb grower for over twenty years and regular winner of RHS Gold Medals, this work contains her knowledge of over two decades of organic cultivation for both commercial purposes and pleasure. From the commonly known to the more obscure, 335 different herbs are examined in detail. Fully illustrated, each plant is given its historical background, cultivation details and uses, be it medicinal, culinary or fragrance. Mouth-watering recipes are included where applicable including those for fragrant oils and vinegars. The writing has a natural flow and is full of quirky facts and asides making an informative but entertaining read. Common names such as Good King Henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus), Balm of Gilead (Cedronella canariensis) and Black Horehound (Ballota nigra) are redolent of their ancient origins. Bee's Balm (Monarda), Meadowsweet (Filipendula) and Evening Primrose (Oenothera) give hints as to their habits and habitats. The less well-known are also covered - the highly scented, aptly named Incense Plant (Calomeria amaranthoides) used in pot pourris, the aphrodisiac Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) with its unusual blotched flowers and the emetic Poke Root (Phytolacca americana) also known as 'Cancer Root'. Original herb garden plans and in-depth propagation details are given together with harvesting, drying and storing techniques. Anyone considering planting herbs be it for pleasure or for their culinary use, in the garden or in containers, cannot go wrong with this valuable well-illustrated guide.
Customer Reviews
By far the most useful gardening book on my shelf
This book is invaluable. I am an amateur gardener - the sort who notes the names of plants which look magnificent in someone else's garden, goes and buys the seeds/seedlings/potted up plant and then has not really got a clue what happens next. For years I have been trying to have a successful herb garden but nothing ever quite worked out. No instructions told me what was going to happen in year 2, year 3 and so on. What I should do the season AFTER I has planted/sown the herb. This fantastic book does just that and tells me what will grow where, the best way to propagate, whether the plant will work in a container, whether it needs to be brought in during the winter and then - oh joy - it gives lots of ideas of what the herb can be used for. It is a real must-have for any gardening shelf.
Just what I've been looking for!
As a hapless owner of a diminutive, north-facing, crazy-paved, patio garden, I rely on luck and terracotta pots to grow my herbs. Thus a special section on container-growing for each herb in this book is a god-send. The other good thing is the inclusion of more exotic sub-species eg. Thai Horapha and holy basils, which are indispensable to any enthusiastic oriental cook. All in all, this book is a treasure-trove of information and invaluable advice; it is well-written and filled with fantastic photographs and illustrations. It even contains some tempting recipes (but sadly none for Thai green curry - Ms McVicar may note the inclusion of my email address - hint, hint). I don't think I will ever need another book on herbs and I can't wait to get a bigger garden.
Not giving this away!
This book was on my mother's Christmas list, but having taken delivery of it, leafed through, and then spending the afternoon lost in it, it may not make it under the tree! What's special about this good-looking book, I think, is that assumes enough knowledge and enthusiasm to appeal to dyed-in-the-wool green thumbers like my mum, but gives beginners and wistful would-be growers and kitchen novices like myself clear guidance and a sense of confidence. Perhaps THIS time the daydreams of a well-stocked and maintained herbed garden might be managable! It isn't often that you pick up a well-written book that demystifies a subject without stripping the passion out of it: I'm beginning to see why my mother raves about Jekka's books. I'm keeping this one for myself!
