"An abundance of detailed, specific information explains the basics of garden planning (including a look at the explosion of horticultural information on the Internet and how best to choose among all the glossy seed and plant catalogues), propagation, transplanting and the cultivation and care of both new and mature gardens. Committed seed savers, the authors advocate a 'raised-bed total-mulch program,' which involves preserving heirloom varieties and creating a thriving garden by planting in wide, raised rows protected by weed-suppressing mulch. Comprehensive chapters on cultivating both vegetables and herbs cover everything from asparagus to tomatoes and angelica to wormwood, and include an eclectic assortment of recipes (salsa, homemade sauerkraut, herb tempura) and tips on preserving root vegetables and drying herbs."—Publishers Weekly