How Do I
Kitchen Gardens
Herbs and Vegetables
See also: Food & Cooking: Produce, Seed Catalogs, Extension Services.
If there are herbs and vegetables that you can't find in the supermarket, try growing them yourself. You don't need an acre of land and these books will show you how to grow herbs and vegetables in raised beds, in a patio garden or in containers. If you aren't into gardening, you can always try a local Farmers Market for fresh and interesting produce.
Why Replace Your Lawn with a Kitchen Garden?
"Today, 58 million Americans spend approximately $30 billion every year to maintain over 23 million acres of lawn. That’s an average of over a third of an acre and $517 each. The same size plot of land could still have a small lawn for recreation, plus produce all of the vegetables needed to feed a family of six. The lawns in the United States consume around 270 billion gallons of water a week—enough to water 81 million acres of organic vegetables, all summer long."
Exerpted from Food Not Lawns: How to Turn Your Yard into a Garden And Your Neighborhood into a Community by Heather Coburn Flores
Gardening Books
Bartley, Jennifer R.
Designing the New Kitchen Garden: an American Potager Handbook
SB324.3.B38 2006
Learn how to set up your own kitchen garden or potager (so called because it provides the ingredients for potage, a soup or broth with vegetables) that has long been a part of European food culture.
Designing the New Kitchen Garden: an American Potager Handbook
SB324.3.B38 2006
Learn how to set up your own kitchen garden or potager (so called because it provides the ingredients for potage, a soup or broth with vegetables) that has long been a part of European food culture.
Bird, Christopher
Cubed Foot Gardening: Growing Vegetables in Raised Intensive Beds
SB321.B55 2001x
Chris Bird does all his vegetable gardening in thickly planted raised beds. If you don't like weeding, this is a good solution.
Cubed Foot Gardening: Growing Vegetables in Raised Intensive Beds
SB321.B55 2001x
Chris Bird does all his vegetable gardening in thickly planted raised beds. If you don't like weeding, this is a good solution.
Brennan, Georgeanne
In the French Kitchen Garden: the Joys of Cultivating a Potager
SB321.B74 1998
You might not be able to have a year-round kitchen garden in Pittsburgh like they do in France and California, but you can have one from May through November.
In the French Kitchen Garden: the Joys of Cultivating a Potager
SB321.B74 1998
You might not be able to have a year-round kitchen garden in Pittsburgh like they do in France and California, but you can have one from May through November.
Brennan, Georgeanne
Little Herb Gardens: Simple Secrets for Glorious Gardens -- Indoors and Out
SB351.H5 B6593 1993
For those of us who would like the luxury of picking fresh herbs throughout the year. Forget about those old herbs in plastic bags from the supermarket.
Little Herb Gardens: Simple Secrets for Glorious Gardens -- Indoors and Out
SB351.H5 B6593 1993
For those of us who would like the luxury of picking fresh herbs throughout the year. Forget about those old herbs in plastic bags from the supermarket.
Buried Treasures: Tasty Tubers of the World: How to grown and enjoy root vegetables, tubers, rhizomes, and corms
SB351.R65 B875 2007x
This small Brooklyn Botanic Garden handbook covers more than your ordinary potato, including tropical tubers and some native American ones you probably don't know about.
SB351.R65 B875 2007x
This small Brooklyn Botanic Garden handbook covers more than your ordinary potato, including tropical tubers and some native American ones you probably don't know about.
Coleman, Eliot
The Winter Harvest Handbook: Year Round Vegetable Production Using Deep Organic Techniques and Unheated Greenhouses
Pennsylvania gardeners who want to eat from their gardens all year long will appreciate this book from an organic farmer in Maine.
The Winter Harvest Handbook: Year Round Vegetable Production Using Deep Organic Techniques and Unheated Greenhouses
Pennsylvania gardeners who want to eat from their gardens all year long will appreciate this book from an organic farmer in Maine.
Creasy, Rosalind
The Edible French Garden
q SB321.C8243 1999
Rosalind Creasy is renowned for her "edible landscaping". In The Edible French Garden, Creasy gives cultivation and preparation instructions for typical French vegetables. She gives French varieties and at the back of the book, resources for finding seed for them.
The Edible French Garden
q SB321.C8243 1999
Rosalind Creasy is renowned for her "edible landscaping". In The Edible French Garden, Creasy gives cultivation and preparation instructions for typical French vegetables. She gives French varieties and at the back of the book, resources for finding seed for them.
Creasy, Rosalind
The Edible Italian Garden
q SB321.C8245 1999
Creasy describes what the Italian vegetable garden is like, highlights vegetables that they grow and gives instructions on how to grow and prepare them, listing appropiate varieties. She finishes with recipes for some typical dishes.
The Edible Italian Garden
q SB321.C8245 1999
Creasy describes what the Italian vegetable garden is like, highlights vegetables that they grow and gives instructions on how to grow and prepare them, listing appropiate varieties. She finishes with recipes for some typical dishes.
Cutler, Karan Davis
Burpee: The Complete Vegetable & Herb Gardener: A Guide to Growing Your Garden Organically
q SB324.3.C88 1997
This information-packed reference contains everything a gardener needs to know to produce bumper crops of succulent tomatoes, spicy peppers, melt-in-your-mouth lettuce, and fragrant, flavorful herbs.
Burpee: The Complete Vegetable & Herb Gardener: A Guide to Growing Your Garden Organically
q SB324.3.C88 1997
This information-packed reference contains everything a gardener needs to know to produce bumper crops of succulent tomatoes, spicy peppers, melt-in-your-mouth lettuce, and fragrant, flavorful herbs.
Gourmet Vegetables: Smart Tips and Tasty Picks for Gardeners and Gourmet Cooks
SB321.G68 2002x
This small Brooklyn Botanic Garden handbook is a brief introduction to unusual vegetables and varieties. Included is a recipe or two for each vegetable and a list of seed sources.
SB321.G68 2002x
This small Brooklyn Botanic Garden handbook is a brief introduction to unusual vegetables and varieties. Included is a recipe or two for each vegetable and a list of seed sources.
Hendrickson, Robert
American Tomato: The Complete Guide to Growing and Using Tomatoes
SB349.H36 2005x
Everything one needs to know about growing tomatoes with extensive lists of the different varieties of tomatoes. Try the Tomato Growers Supply Company for a huge collection of tomato seeds (as well as peppers).
American Tomato: The Complete Guide to Growing and Using Tomatoes
SB349.H36 2005x
Everything one needs to know about growing tomatoes with extensive lists of the different varieties of tomatoes. Try the Tomato Growers Supply Company for a huge collection of tomato seeds (as well as peppers).
Kitchen Gardens: Beyond the Vegetable Patch
SB321.K45 1998x
This Brooklyn Botanic Garden handbook expands the vegetable garden to things that you bring into the kitchen and includes fruits and berries, herbs, edible flowers and cut flowers.
SB321.K45 1998x
This Brooklyn Botanic Garden handbook expands the vegetable garden to things that you bring into the kitchen and includes fruits and berries, herbs, edible flowers and cut flowers.
Larkcom, Joy
Oriental Vegetables: The Complete Guide for the Gardening Cook
SB351.C54 L37 2008
Originally published in England in 1991. Greens grow very well in Pittsburgh so oriental greens might be interesting to plant!
Oriental Vegetables: The Complete Guide for the Gardening Cook
SB351.C54 L37 2008
Originally published in England in 1991. Greens grow very well in Pittsburgh so oriental greens might be interesting to plant!
Ledward, Daphne
The Patio Kitchen Garden
SB473.2.L44 2001x
The Patio Kitchen Garden provides suggestions for growing herbs and vegetables in bags, pots, hanging baskets and other patio containers. Because it is a British book, it lists plants that may be unfamiliar to you.
The Patio Kitchen Garden
SB473.2.L44 2001x
The Patio Kitchen Garden provides suggestions for growing herbs and vegetables in bags, pots, hanging baskets and other patio containers. Because it is a British book, it lists plants that may be unfamiliar to you.
Lloyd, Christopher
Gardener Cook
SB321.L696 1997x
This British book gives you a different perspective on things to grow in the kitchen garden, things like mulberry, quince, medlar, fava beans, seakale, gooseberry, purslane, celeriac, and elderflower.
Gardener Cook
SB321.L696 1997x
This British book gives you a different perspective on things to grow in the kitchen garden, things like mulberry, quince, medlar, fava beans, seakale, gooseberry, purslane, celeriac, and elderflower.
Meredith, Ted
The Complete Book of Garlic: a guide for gardeners, growers, and serious cooks
SB351.G3 M47 2008
This book is comprehensive enough for both the amateur and commercial grower. Here you will find everything you need to grow garlic in various climates. Included is a list of many different cultivars.
The Complete Book of Garlic: a guide for gardeners, growers, and serious cooks
SB351.G3 M47 2008
This book is comprehensive enough for both the amateur and commercial grower. Here you will find everything you need to grow garlic in various climates. Included is a list of many different cultivars.
Peel, Lucy
Kitchen Garden
SB321.P4375 2004x
Includes more than 150 of the most popular vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
Kitchen Garden
SB321.P4375 2004x
Includes more than 150 of the most popular vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
Rice, Graham
The All-in-One Garden: Grow Vegetables, Fruit, Herbs and Flowers in the Same Plot
SB453.R525 2006x
This English book will show you how to create that English staple: the cottage garden.
The All-in-One Garden: Grow Vegetables, Fruit, Herbs and Flowers in the Same Plot
SB453.R525 2006x
This English book will show you how to create that English staple: the cottage garden.
Ruppenthal, R. J.
Fresh Food from Small Spaces: The Square Inch Gardener's Guide to Year-Round Growing, Fermenting, and Sprouting
SB453.R87 2008
Do you think your lot is too small for a vegetable garden? Or maybe you only have a balcony. Do you think it is impossible to grow things in Pennsylvania's winter? Maybe this book can change your mind!
Fresh Food from Small Spaces: The Square Inch Gardener's Guide to Year-Round Growing, Fermenting, and Sprouting
SB453.R87 2008
Do you think your lot is too small for a vegetable garden? Or maybe you only have a balcony. Do you think it is impossible to grow things in Pennsylvania's winter? Maybe this book can change your mind!
Stickland, Sue
Heirloom Vegetables
SB324.73.S75 1998
A home gardener's guide to finding and growing vegetables from the past. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds offers a large collection of heirloom vegetables from around the world if you want to get started.
Heirloom Vegetables
SB324.73.S75 1998
A home gardener's guide to finding and growing vegetables from the past. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds offers a large collection of heirloom vegetables from around the world if you want to get started.
Toensmeier, Eric
Perennial Vegetables: From Artichoke To 'zuiki' Taro, A Gardener's Guide To Over 100 Delicious, Easy-to-Grow Edibles
SB320.9.T64 2007
This is an interesting book that will introduce you to vegetables that you have never heard of, like arracacha. Most are from tropical/subtropical areas but there are a few that Pennsylvania could grow as annuals. And then of course there is rhubarb.
Perennial Vegetables: From Artichoke To 'zuiki' Taro, A Gardener's Guide To Over 100 Delicious, Easy-to-Grow Edibles
SB320.9.T64 2007
This is an interesting book that will introduce you to vegetables that you have never heard of, like arracacha. Most are from tropical/subtropical areas but there are a few that Pennsylvania could grow as annuals. And then of course there is rhubarb.
Tucker, David M.
Kitchen Gardening in America: A History
SB320.6 .T83 1993
If you think raised beds and compost heaps are new ideas, this book on the history of American kitchen gardens will give you some perspective.
Kitchen Gardening in America: A History
SB320.6 .T83 1993
If you think raised beds and compost heaps are new ideas, this book on the history of American kitchen gardens will give you some perspective.
Weaver, William Woys
100 Vegetables and Where They Came From
SB320.9.W43 2000
This is not a gardening book per se but tells the story of 100 interesting vegetable varieties. Most varieties you probably haven't heard of, like Egyptian Flat Black Beet, Gbognome Eggplant Collards, and Tartar Bread Plant. But some you may be familiar with, like Green Grape Tomato, Frijoles Rojas de Seda, and Shungiku Edible Chrysanthemum. Read more about William Woys Weaver.
100 Vegetables and Where They Came From
SB320.9.W43 2000
This is not a gardening book per se but tells the story of 100 interesting vegetable varieties. Most varieties you probably haven't heard of, like Egyptian Flat Black Beet, Gbognome Eggplant Collards, and Tartar Bread Plant. But some you may be familiar with, like Green Grape Tomato, Frijoles Rojas de Seda, and Shungiku Edible Chrysanthemum. Read more about William Woys Weaver.
Browse the Catalog
For additional books, browse the library catalog under the subject headings:
Return to the topCook Books
So now that you've grown it, how do you cook it?
For additional books, browse the library catalog under the subject headings Vegetables and Cookery - Vegetables
Creasy, Rosalind
Recipes from the Garden
q TX801.C74 2008
Creasy, author of Edible Landscaping, includes recipes using herbs, flowers and even weeds, such as "lavender-tinted vichyssoise", "pork stew with purslane", and stuffed zucchini blossoms.
Recipes from the Garden
q TX801.C74 2008
Creasy, author of Edible Landscaping, includes recipes using herbs, flowers and even weeds, such as "lavender-tinted vichyssoise", "pork stew with purslane", and stuffed zucchini blossoms.
Davis-Hollander, Lawrence
The Tomato Festival Cookbook
TX803.T6 D38 2004
150 recipes that make the most of your crop of lush, vine-ripened, sun-warmed, fat, juicy, ready-to-burst heirloom tomatoes. Davis-Hollander also includes information on the history of tomatoes and how to grow them.
The Tomato Festival Cookbook
TX803.T6 D38 2004
150 recipes that make the most of your crop of lush, vine-ripened, sun-warmed, fat, juicy, ready-to-burst heirloom tomatoes. Davis-Hollander also includes information on the history of tomatoes and how to grow them.
Kafka, Barbara
Vegetable Love
TX801.K33 2005
With more than 600 pages of information and recipes, this volume should cover all the vegetables that you grow in your garden, from tomatoes and potatoes to more esoteric vegetables like nopales, malokhei, and fava beans. Grouped by related vegetables, this book should appeal to the botanist in you.
Vegetable Love
TX801.K33 2005
With more than 600 pages of information and recipes, this volume should cover all the vegetables that you grow in your garden, from tomatoes and potatoes to more esoteric vegetables like nopales, malokhei, and fava beans. Grouped by related vegetables, this book should appeal to the botanist in you.
Kelley, Jeanne Thiel
Blue Eggs and Yellow Tomatoes: recipes from a modern kitchen garden
TX741.K438 2008x
One of NPR's 10 Best Cookbooks for Summer.
Blue Eggs and Yellow Tomatoes: recipes from a modern kitchen garden
TX741.K438 2008x
One of NPR's 10 Best Cookbooks for Summer.
Luebbermann, Mimi
The Heirloom Tomato Cookbook
TX803.T6 L84 2006x
This Chronicle Book highlights the annual Heirloom Tomato Festival at Kendall-Jackson Wine Center in an introductory chapter and lists 20 of their favorite heirloom varieties. This is followed by a collection of 50 recipes contributed by chefs and restaurants.
The Heirloom Tomato Cookbook
TX803.T6 L84 2006x
This Chronicle Book highlights the annual Heirloom Tomato Festival at Kendall-Jackson Wine Center in an introductory chapter and lists 20 of their favorite heirloom varieties. This is followed by a collection of 50 recipes contributed by chefs and restaurants.
Lundy, Ronni
Butter Beans to Blackberries: Recipes from the Southern Garden
TX715.2.S68 L8497 1999
If you are interested in Southern vegetables like crowder peas, okra, and collard greens, pick up this book for recipes and also for mail order sources. It is a delight to read with lots of explanatory text and sidebars.
Butter Beans to Blackberries: Recipes from the Southern Garden
TX715.2.S68 L8497 1999
If you are interested in Southern vegetables like crowder peas, okra, and collard greens, pick up this book for recipes and also for mail order sources. It is a delight to read with lots of explanatory text and sidebars.
Morash, Marian
The Victory Garden Cookbook
q TX801.M67 1982
Created in conjunction with the WGBH-TV gardening series, The Victory Garden Cookbook includes brief cultivation notes and information about each vegetable. These are followed by a collection of recipes for that vegetable.
The Victory Garden Cookbook
q TX801.M67 1982
Created in conjunction with the WGBH-TV gardening series, The Victory Garden Cookbook includes brief cultivation notes and information about each vegetable. These are followed by a collection of recipes for that vegetable.
Peterson, James
Vegetables
TX801.P49 1998
"The Most Authoritative Guide to Buying, Preparing, and Cooking, with More Than 300 Recipes."
This book covers the common vegetables and the not so common, like beet greens, collard greens, fennel, fiddlehead ferns, jerusalem artichokes, mustard greens, okra, rutabagas, salsify, sorrel...
Vegetables
TX801.P49 1998
"The Most Authoritative Guide to Buying, Preparing, and Cooking, with More Than 300 Recipes."
This book covers the common vegetables and the not so common, like beet greens, collard greens, fennel, fiddlehead ferns, jerusalem artichokes, mustard greens, okra, rutabagas, salsify, sorrel...
Wells, Patricia
Vegetable Harvest: Vegetables at the Center of the Plate
TX801.W42 2007
Patricia Wells, an expert in Provençal cooking, has a new cookbook out using vegetables from the garden at center stage.
Vegetable Harvest: Vegetables at the Center of the Plate
TX801.W42 2007
Patricia Wells, an expert in Provençal cooking, has a new cookbook out using vegetables from the garden at center stage.
Web Sites
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Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Kitchen Gardening
Information on how to combine fruits, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and other key ingredients in the new American kitchen garden. -
Gardener's Supply Company: Kitchen Garden Planner
Don't know how much to plant where? See if these layouts will help you get organized. -
Grow Your Own Greens with Salad Tables & Salad Boxes
Don’t have time or space for a vegetable garden? Then try growing your own fresh greens this year with a Salad Table or Salad Box. From the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service Home and Garden Information Center. -
Herb Society of American
The Herb Society consists of gardeners interested in herbs and provides educational resources and publications. They also maintain the National Herb Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.-
The Beginner's Herb Garden: An Herb Society of America Guide
View this powerpoint presentation to get started.
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The Beginner's Herb Garden: An Herb Society of America Guide
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In My Kitchen Garden
In 1994, at 26, FarmGirl Susan sold her little bakery cafe, packed up 200 boxes of books & antiques, waved goodbye to her native California and moved to a farm "in the middle of nowhere" (Missouri). This is her Kitchen Garden blog. -
Library of Congress: Kitchen Gardens
The Library of Congress SCIENCE TRACER BULLET SERIES contains research guides that help you locate information on science and technology subjects. This Kitchen Garden guide is a response to the renewed interest in kitchen gardens as a source of local food and consists of recommended books, magazines, indexing services, and catalog subject headings. -
Planning an Idaho Vegetable Garden
Although created by the University of Idaho Cooperative Extension, this 41-page booklet has information on vegetables for cold climates like Pittsburgh. Reviewed in Sunset magazine as "a great new booklet to help beginning gardeners." -
Short Season Vegetable Gardening
This is a brochure created by the extension services in Washington, Oregon and Idaho that addresses the problem of vegetable gardening in areas with short summers. -
Sunset Magazine: The Perfect Raised Bed
Raised gardens make growing some vegetables (like lettuce and herbs) much easier because they cut down on the weeds and are easier to reach. Sunset has other interesting articles on vegetable gardening but remember they are not writing for Pittsburgh's climate. -
Watch Your Garden Grow
This is a web site from the University of Illinois Extension that offers Vegetable Gardening Basics, Planting the Garden, Vegetable Directory, and a Glossary.
