Perennial Vegetables: From Artichoke to Zuiki Taro, a Gardener's Guide to Over 100 Delicious, Easy-to-grow Edibles

I very seldom buy new books, and even more seldom buy books as expensive as this. But I had a $25 Amazon gift certificate, so I went ahead and bought it, and I'm very glad I did.The first section of the book is useful information on growing perennial vegetables (and other perennials, for that matter), and on landscaping using these plants, many of which have great ornamental value.Part Two is a listing of each of the more than 100 (I didn't count) perennial vegtables, with information on each species. About half the listed plants have quite extensive growing information, and about half have shorter descriptions. A map is included for each species, showing where it will grow as a perennial and where it can be grown as an annual. Toensmeier has not included plant 'thugs' such as kudzu or Japanese knotweed, and warns the reader if any of the other plants may naturalize.The author's inclusions of certain species (as vegetables) may be slightly questionable: we are more apt to think of them as fruit or as herbs, for example, rhubarb and lovage. (However, my daughter cooks a lot of Persian food, and uses rhubarb as a vegetable in a meat and vegetable stew.) Also, this book will be of even more use to people who live in a warmer climate than I do (northern Pennsylvania in the mountains, with Zone 4 weather). I actually already grow four of the vegetables in the book: rhubarb, lovage, Good King Henry, and sorrel. I discovered some others that I'll definitely try - two of which I had never even heard of before. Those who live considerably further south than I will find a wealth of species to try.The book is well written, and carefully edited. It includes a list of recommended reading, a list of recommended web sites, a list of sources for seeds and plants, a list of sources for garden supplies and equipment, a bibliography, an index by both scientific and common names, and a really valuable list of perennial vegetables that will grow in each of the various climate types in the USA (including Hawaii).If you're at all interested in growing perennial vegetables - or in permaculture in general - I think you'll want to read this book and probably to own it. I think it's a very useful book and a pleasure to read. I recommend it most highly.

This was an overall fantastic book with many interesting plants represented. However I do wish that he would make a chart including each plant and what growing zone they can survive and thrive in. Though I have enthusiasm for gardening this would have made it a bit more quick of a read and would help in garden planning.

This book is both a great guide to getting started with perennial gardening for beginners, and a great resource book on where, when and how to plant and care for all manner of perennial fruits and vegetables for gardeners of any skill level. Toensmeier's style is easy to read, and the book is full of interesting anecdotes about the author's experience with many of the plants discussed, which helps to keep the book engaging and interesting. The book explains how to set up an edible perennial garden, and starts with basic explanations on various families of vegetables, such as melons, tubers, aquatics, etc, then goes into a detailed explanation of planting and caring for individual species from each group. Each plant description includes beautiful glossy pictures of the plant in question, and a diagram of its geographic range in North America. Plants appropriate to all regions are covered, meaning this book is useful whether you're looking to start a garden in South Florida, or looking for hardy perennials that will survive a Canadian winter. This book has given me a lot of great ideas, some of which I've already successfully put into practice here in upstate New York this growing season, and I've thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

The way this book has been talked about in other gardening books I've enjoyed, I thought it would be a little more authoritative. The anecdotal form of many of the entries isn’t necessarily a flaw, but readers should know that this book is as much aspirational as informative, a hopeful todo list for plant breeders. Still, useful for understanding availability of perennial vegetables in various climates.

This books covers many perennial vegetables. I had been looking for information on zuiki, and this is the only place that gave good information on the plant.

This was all new information to me and very welcomed. As I have gotten older, I am finding it very tiresome to keep planting annual vegies every year. The idea that I can plant perennial vegies once and have a harvest that lasts for years is very appealing to me, AND, the ability to build them into a permaculture approach to the landscaping in my backyard is wonderful! This book places each plant into that context and provides a wealth of information about it's growth habits, needs for light and water, best location in the US for using it, and brings enough information to you that it doesn't feel strange considering new plants that we may never have heard about for addition to our diet. I am sooooo thrilled to have this book, and expect to use it for many years to come.

Un libro que debe tener cualquier persona que quiera diseñar un bosque o jardín comestible, estoyMuy feliz con mi compra

It's been difficult to find information on perennial vegetables/fruit other than asparagus, rhubarb, and strawberries so I was glad to find this book. There is a lot of information about the vegetables - where they come from, where they can grow, what they taste like, what parts of the plant to eat, and sometimes, even a recipe. I found it first at the library and then ordered it as a reference. Very informative, with easy-to-access format. Highly recommended.

This is an excellent read up on cool and interesting vegetables. I am only upset that I live in a zone that doesn't let me grow 80% of the featured foods.

This book is in near perfect condition and contains a wealth of useful knowledge. I would buy this book again.

Nousa aidé à bâtir notre plan d,aménagment de notre cour très faiclement grâce à la qualité des photos et des commentaires de ce livre.