The Art of French Vegetable Gardening (Workman Artisan)

By Louisa Jones

The French, who are known for their style in all things, have long brought their artistry to bear on vegetable gardening, turning plots that could be merely utilitarian into gardens of real beauty. The Art of French Vegetable Gardening explores this rich and varied tradition in a way that is both inspirational and practical. Combining 175 color photographs shot throughout France with an informative text, The Art of French Vegetable Gardening explains how to create different styles of decorative vegetable gardens, from the strict geometries of formal tradition to the happy-intermingling of vegetables with flowers, herbs, and fruit trees beloved by organic gardeners. Each chapter offers useful advice and suggestions--applicable to gardens anywhere--while evoking the rich cultural context of the French potager as lovingly described by Colette, Proust, Gertrude Stein, and many others. Elements of garden design--including layout, hedging, walls, benches, and vertical accents--are detailed, as are specific vegetables that can provide both beauty and flavor. Other topics include companion planting using herbs and flowers, heirloom and collectors' varieties, and even the vegetable garden in winter. An extensive appendix offers 80 classic Frnech recipes for vegetables, lists of plants American seed sources, and French vegetable gardens open to the public. Practical as well as beautiful, The Art of French Vegetable Gardening is an invaluable sourcebook to return to again and again.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1885183097
• ISBN13: 9781885183095
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Artisan Publishers
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 2.71 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.3" x 11.3"

Customer Reviews

Useful gardening information and visually stunning

I read this book after stumbling across it at the library. I am going to purchase a copy because I think it is an invaluable reference for gardening and travel. I am plotting a course of the gardens described in the book and hope to tour some of them on my next trip to France. Thanks to Ms. Jones for a rewarding read and a visual treat.

Beautiful pictures, and interesting information.

This book strikes me most with its beautiful pictures. If you can stop thumbing through the pictures long enough to read, you will find that the format is user friendly, and there is useful information on many aspects of gardening. One of my favorite book to look through in the winter!