My father built our house on my grandparent’s farm and so I grew up with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. I would get on my bike and ride down the lane to pick the cherries right off tree. My aunt had also planted raspberries that I loved to have on my cereal. She even dressed my brother, sisters, and I up in long sleeved shirts and pants in the middle of the summer to go into the woods and pick the wild blackberries. I have great memories and reading this book brought back many of them. As an adult, I have owned a pear tree and enjoyed eating the pears and at my old house in the South, I grew strawberries.

Atlantic Books has a great series Back to Basics Growing and this is the second book in that series I have read. I was again impressed. The subtitle ‘Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply’ is true. The book is well organized and readable. I would suggest that if you want to start growing your own fruits and berries you read it straight through. For the experienced grower, this book has information on graphing, the latest information on pest and disease control and is a great reference tool. If you want to use container growing or are interested in greenhouse growing there is a chapter for you. There are also Case Study sections throughout the book from people in the field giving tips from their experience.

After all your hard work, there are tips on harvesting and great recipes to enjoy the fruit of your labor.  Included also are internet resources to help you with each step. The book also has section with the scientific names of the fruits and berries that is helpful when you are looking for specific varieties, a handy glossary and an index that makes it very user friendly. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in growing fruit trees, grapes or berries.

Reviewed on 04/04/2011 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Janice Hidey

Have you ever wanted to grow your own fruit in your backyard? It doesn’t matter which state you live in, you can still plant fruit in your yard.  The Complete Guide to Growing Your Own Fruit and Berries will advise you on what fruits grow the best in your region.

  If you think you can just toss some seeds in the ground and that’s it, you have been wrongly informed. You must first find out what is the best location and soil for your fruit tree.  Don’t forget about the sunlight and shade, because it varies from fruit to fruit. There are also dangers do learn about; diseases, insects, and animals.
 
 You’ll learn about the different types of soil, the basic gardening tools, cultivation and planting, and caring for your plants.

 Growing your own fruits and berries is an interesting hobby for anyone. The Complete Guide to Growing Your Own Fruits and Berries is full of great information on the subject. There is even a few recipes in the Appendix B section. If you want to learn how to grow fruit, then this book is for you.

Reviewed on 02/28/2011 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Billy Burgess

Considering the buzz that our earth is being depleted on a daily basis and the food shortages are bound to happen this is a good opportunity to start growing some of our own foods.  It doesn't take much room to plant a fruit tree or a patch of berries but it does take some knowledge and gentle care.

Karen Szklany Gault has given us the opportunity to start our own gardens and "grow local."  In the beginning of the book she explains the regions and what plants are conducive to those areas.  I was specifically interested in container growing because of the soil conditions in the  part of Texas we live in and our property laden with huge trees.  I did find that I can still grow berries and fruits regardless of those conditions.

This book is a great resource for a beginner.  It covers soil conditions and supplementation, pollution, cultivation, planting, pests, diseases, and harvesting.  Gault also includes some great looking recipes to use with our rewards. She also provides resources  if you aren't able to get some of the items you need locally.

I recommend this book for those that want to learn more about growing their own fruits and berries or those that have embarked on this thought and need additional information.  You will not only be led through the process but you will gain an abundance of knowledge.

Reviewed on 02/26/2011 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Irene Watson