I just finished this entertaining memoir written by a fellow gardener. Although parts were a bit out-there for me (hiring a landscape architect to design essentially a raised bed vegetable garden...) most of it was quite humorous and close-to-home. At the end of the book, he actually creates a spreadsheet to figure out how much it cost him to raise his beloved, but poorly producing, Brandywine tomatoes. Quick read, with a bonus handful of recipes at the end that he referred to in the book. Copyright 2007 so many of you may have already read this - found it on the 50 cent shelf of my local thrift store!

Sounds like an interesting read. I'm guessing the title is the 'spoiler alert.' lol. I've always said I could buy a lot of what I raise a lot cheaper, but I'd miss out on all the fun of growing it myself, plus I know exactly what, if anything, has been applied for pest control, fertilizer, etc. I'll try to remember to look for this the next time I'm in a thrift store. Thanks for sharing.

Reminds me of the watermelon "we" just had to grow when living in Puerto Rico. My sons, who were young at the time, really wanted to try and grow one -- and we made a bet.
That puny, pathetic watermelon turned out to be quite an expensive project. I don't even remember if I even had a bite of it -- or if there was enough !!

Sounds like an enjoyable read and it's hard to beat a 50 cent book that you keep or mention to anyone.

I'm a non-fiction sort myself. Not a big television fan so I might indulge in a copy when I purchase this years heirloom plants. Might even try another Brandywine if I have room? I think in 3 year's tries I had one decent return but my very first favorite heirloom tomato has disappointed as well.

Brandywine (to me) screams BH&G and Martha Stewart (20 years ago). Most of the great heirlooms have been covered by the print magazines and of course, the internet now which is a great thing. Names might not be as catchy but folks enjoy delicious fruits. I'd never drop $64 on a tomato plant.

My favorite 50 center is part of an early 1900's farming series focused on crop and livestock production. It's relatively boring but it's rich. And it looks really cool on the bookshelf.

Another "good, old book" is "The Complete Book of Garden Magic"
by Roy E. Biles

I see there's a 1961 edition, but was written in 1941. My edition was from the mid-1950s.

It really is complete!

And it gives some perspective on our concerns about garden chemicals. back then, they dusted with arsenic and nicotine ... NOT good for people or other growing things.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb...

Dang. I used to have that book, but have no idea what became of it. From my mom. and one of my first garden resources.

Amazon has plenty of used copies under $5, including shipping.

As mine started to fall apart, I reinforced the binding with Gorilla Tape.

"back then, they dusted with arsenic and nicotine "

And probably DDT ...

but there is so much to be learned from the old gardening books!!

Right - back then, DDT was LESS toxic than "traditional" pesticides!

When I went on a 2-week Boy Scout canoe trip in northern Maine, in bug season, they told us to buy DDT "bombs" (pressure canisters) at an army surplus store. Then we were supposed to zip up our tent so no new insects could get in, and spray the DDT around liberally. Then we slept in that fog of DDT aerosol.

And it hardly hurt me at all!

It's a wonder that any of us are still alive!!

got the 64 dollar tomato at the library lots of snickers and chuckles for several days reminded me too much of me.....not the landscape architect though....