Got two recent books – both by Canadian bloggers/turned published authors – out of the library. I’ve been wanting to read these but, gardening books are like cookbooks for me: I have so many already that I like to “check them out first” before deciding whether or not I really need them.

Sugarsnaps and Strawberries by Andrea Bellamy
Sub-titled: “Simple Solutions for Creating Your own Small-Space Edible Garden”

This book is written by a fellow Vancouver gardener. Covers a lot of basic “ground” in 200 pages (lots of photos). I would definitely buy this book as a gift for someone starting out in a small plot, who had never gardened before. It’s a great primer. Not one for my collection as I felt it was a bit too A-B-C but I still got a few useful tips and hints all the same.

Grow Great Grub by Gayla Trail
Sub-titled: “Organic Food from Small Spaces”

I liked this book! Went beyond the A-B-C’s and had some curiously useful info (re-using potting soil and building your own self-watering containers, for example). There were also some interesting recipes and Gayla’s style of writing is very engaging and…down-to-earth! A buy.