Crops in Pots: How to Plan, Plant, and Grow Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs in Easy-Care Containers

Love the examples of pots of edible plants. With lots of tree roots and rocks I needed suggesstions of what would grow well in pots

Every once in a while, I come across a gem of a book that I don't expect much of, but it turns into an unexpected treasure. This is one of those books. "Crops in Pots" is a visual feast of ideas for designing container plantings. Each two-page spread suggests a "recipe"/idea for container (or grouping of containers), with gorgeous photography of the finished container or grouping, a list of "ingredients," including not just the plants themselves, but a recommended size and look of a container (very helpful!). An extra treat is a literal recipe at the bottom... a delicious-sounding recipe using some of that page's container plantings. What I love about "Crops in Pots" is that the finished plantings are visually so beautiful. Far from a strict utilitarian approach, these well-designed container "recipes" combine vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers (some edible, some just as a showy centerpiece surrounded by edibles) into spectacular plantings that are beautiful enough to grace a grand front entrance, not just hidden away on the back deck (although they will be spectacular there too!). Several reviewers have complained that some of the container suggestions include flowers along with edible plants, but I consider it an asset that the containers are just as beautiful as they are practical. I considered giving "Crops in Pots" 4 stars since it is not all-encompassing as far as the technical side of growing edibles in containers, but honestly, that's not the goal of this book. I have other books on container gardening that go into excruciating detail on what to fertilize container cucumbers with or how much sunlight container-grown lettuce needs. This book is meant to complement, not replace, books such as "The Bountiful Container," and spark ideas for the beauty, design, and *ART* of edible container gardening. And as such, "Crops in Pots" is absolutely five stars.

As an apartment-dweller my growing space is limited. This book was very helpful in advising how to manage small spaces for big results.

This book is amazing...I live in an apartment and having such versitile gardening options gave me just what I needed. The planting instructions and recipes are easy to follow and create amazing beauty.

This is an interesting book that provides instructions for growing veggies and herbs in container. It focuses on beauty

Although I agree that McGee & Stuckey's "The Bountiful Container" is the essential book for container gardening, the beautiful photos and variety of plantings in Purnell's "Crops in Pots" make it a necessity. It's full of pictures that really show what can be achieved by container gardeners, and especially useful information about what kinds of plants do best in what kinds of containers, and how much space you really need to grow something. Each page contains a themed grouping of plants in a suggested container with information about sun, watering and fertilizer needs. For example, "Potted Potager" suggests a 30x18in. container to grow a variety of kale, nasturium, beets, thyme, parsley, chives, coriander, dill and strawberries. The emphasis here is on middle to large containers, but I am inspired to try mini versions in 8-10in. containers as well. A few things to note: Purnell focuses on starting with seeds and uses soil-less mixes, so refer back to M & S for using potting soil and transplants. Being English, there are no references to USDA Hardiness Zones, but your local farmer's market can help you with cultivars. He likes mixing edibles with flowers with beautiful results, but if (like me) you want to focus your energy on things you can eat, there are plenty of tumbling or low hanging foods to grow showcased in the book. Best of all, there is a section on Pests and Diseases with detailed pictures. Now I know what an aphid looks like and will keep them the hell off my tomatoes.