Author: Huw Richards
Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa
I must admit, this review stems from a place of self-interest – reading gardening books is my cure for the dark, cold days of winter. I have watched Huw Richards’s gardening channel on YouTube for years and was curious how his approach and his knowledge translated to book form. The Vegetable Grower’s Handbook is his third book, published in 2022, while his fourth book is expected in May 2024.
The Vegetable Grower’s Handbook presents a very holistic approach to gardening, while still being simple to follow. Not only does Richards talk about different crops and how to grow them, as you’d expect, he covers such things as soil health, compost setups, and planning journals. He presents the larger picture of gardening, the why alongside the how, as well as plenty of actual pictures and diagrams too. There are numerous tips and tricks throughout the book for how gardeners can be not just successful, but also smart and highly efficient in getting there. The book can sometimes seem as much an inspirational, time management book as it is a gardening book. The sections throughout are short and well-organized, so it’s a very accessible book that you can return to often.
Whether you’re a brand new gardener or have decades under your belt, The Vegetable Grower’s Handbook would be a really helpful tool. And although Richards grows in Wales, there is only a tiny fraction of the book that couldn’t work for Oklahoma. Other than his planting dates, the information in the book is broadly applicable to any growing zone. As we get closer and closer to spring, it’s the perfect time to pick up Richards’s book to both educate yourself and get super excited for the growing season.
Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of The Vegetable Grower’s Handbook today!
