Giveaway! The Edible Front Yard
My friend and colleague Ivette Soler, aka The Germinatrix, has just published her first book, The Edible Front Yard: The Mow-Less, Grow-More Plan for a Beautiful, Bountiful Garden (Timber Press, 2011). I’m so happy for her accomplishment and am certain her book will do well. Ivette has a great talent for design, and her writing style is exuberantly friendly, just like she is. And—full disclosure—she even gave me a shout-out in a sidebar about garden coaches (page 131). So forget about an unbiased review. Instead, allow me to share my impressions of the book with you. And to celebrate, I’m offering a giveaway of her book to a random commenter on this post. (See giveaway rules at the end of this post.)
Regular readers will know that I’ve never been eager to grow my own food. I’d rather plant ornamentals any day than tend a row of snap peas or struggle to keep borers from destroying my squash. But that’s why The Edible Front Yard appealed to me. It’s about making your veggie patch as ornamental as the rest of your garden—so ornamental, in fact, that you feel no qualms about bringing it into the front yard for all the world to see.
Photo courtesy of Ivette Soler
Ivette’s enthusiasm for gardening, plants, and getting her hands dirty is apparent in every descriptive, encouraging sentence. But along with her love of the garden and more-is-more personality, she has the discipline and know-how of a designer. She argues that front-yard food growers must often practice restraint in order to fit into the traditional neighborhood and win over skeptical neighbors. Her book is about much more than growing vegetables; it’s about creating a front-yard edible garden with the structure and style of an ornamental garden—not always an easy task given the feast-or-famine nature of most vegetable gardens.
Some of her suggestions: Use structure to tide the garden over when plants are past peak. Incorporate thoughtful hardscaping (it doesn’t have to be expensive) to define the vegetable garden and give it good bones. Mix vegetables into your ornamental beds to camouflage them if your HOA won’t allow front-yard plots. Use edibles with a pleasing form, and make sure they’ll hold their good looks for the whole growing season; save those that get ratty at the end of the season for the back yard.
A little less than half the book contains plant suggestions that meet her criteria for front-yard vegetable growing. Much of the rest is about design: the importance of structure, repetition, texture and form, and harmony or contrast with color. She even provides some edible garden design plans. She also gives practical information for getting started, planting, maintenance, harvesting, and planning for next year, as well as simple hardscaping how-tos.
One thing I really like about Ivette’s book is her emphasis on do-it-yourself projects. A beautiful garden does not have to be expensive. With some research, planning, and, yes, hard work, and with the use of simple but timeless materials like locally sourced gravel and stone, cedar and redwood, a DIYer can make her own paths, raised beds, trellises, and obelisks. Of course, there’s much benefit to hiring a designer too, whether for coaching, a design, or a full installation. But Ivette’s point is that there are options that will work for you no matter your budget. Gardening is wonderfully democratic that way!
Photo courtesy of Ivette Soler
And now for the fun part—the giveaway! One lucky commenter will win a copy of The Edible Front Yard, donated by Timber Press. To be entered in the random drawing, leave a comment on this post by Sunday, June 19, 6 pm CDT. The winner will be announced on Monday the 20th. Because of shipping expenses, you must be a resident of the continental U.S. to win. Good luck!
All material © 2006-2011 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
This sounds like a great addition to the gardening library!
I would love to have this. We are going to join the ranks of front yard gardeners, since our back yard is too shady for vegetables. Pam, reading your blog has become a daily ritual. I’ve even found plants that you have here in Illinois, but the huge spiny succulents you have in Austin need to come indoors for the winter in my zone 5 state. Alas, not enough room in this tiny ranch for that, so I’ll just live vicariously through your garden.
This looks absolutely wonderful, and if I’m not the winner I will be purchasing the book none the less. I’ve not seen something laid out so well as of yet and this may be the book we’ve been looking for. Cheers to the author and congrats for the shout out! Awesome presentation as well. Rebecca of Timbers Prairie Consulting.
On the good side there are many adjectives in your review that tempt me into looking at this book. In order of their positive impact on me they are: exuberant; enthusiasm; descriptive; encouraging; inexpensive; wonderful.
That shipping charges for a book to the UK disqualifies me is not such good news – Twitter is global and I expect your followers are and we, your continental cousins, are interested too! Count me in and I’ll give you an address for a US pal? (if I win!)
Sorry about the shipping restrictions, GraceandFlavour. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher, not me. I’m glad you have access to a U.S. address that will work for you. Thanks for reading. —Pam
This looks so intriguing. I’d love to try it out. Thanks for sharing.
So beautiful! I have used several types of purple basil in my garden to enjoy both the herb and the pop of color!
I don’t need the book, but this is my second year with the Front Garden otherwise known as the Early Garden, planted right in front of the house where it is sheltered and basks in southern sun. This eliminates some mowing, and gives me an early start. Since it is right in front of the house it gets a lot of early attention when I can’t do much anywhere else. I love Ivette!
We are hoping to renovate our sunny front yard in the next year or 2 and that’s where the veggies will find a new home. Would love the inspiration and guidance of this book. Thanks!
This book sounds great! We’re moving into a new house with a completely un-landscaped yard soon and I would love to include edibles in our plans.
Yay! I’ve been waiting for that book…
I would love that book. I’ve been contemplating a post about some beautiful edibles I have growing out back that would look gorgeous in the front garden. Of course, I would have to run the drip irrigation more often!
I just need to find “edibles” that are not on the “yummy list” for the deer! This is such a wonderful idea though.. I’d much rather see edible front yards than thirsty lawns.
I’m leery about front-yard edibles in harsher climates, and would love to see what sort of tips are in this book!
Edible front yard?! Fantastic idea. I would love to double my production capacity! Now if only those borers would die like the squash they ate…
Would love to win this book, it looks very interesting and useful!
I hope I’m the winner, but if not, thanks for the recommendation. I’ve already added this to my Amazon wish list.
It always seems like there is room on my bookshelf for one more garden book. This one looks fantastic!
what a wonderful book! i would be thrilled to win the give away.
To be so bold! Square foot gardening in the back but the good sun is in the front so am eager to see the possibilities.
Looks like a book I would enjoy!
Looks like lots of good advice for the edible yard even if it’s on the side or back of the house.
Count me in! Thanks Pam.
I would love to win this! I am planning to landscape my front yard and would love some ideas on how to integrate edibles in the front…
This sounds like a book I would be interested in having. I already employ a few of her tips, like incorporating (and disguising) veggies in with regular bedding plants and the defined pathways and structure. This is a nice offer and will surely encourage others to follow suit after reading her book.
This book is TOTALLY up my alley! I’ve hidden my vegetable beds in the back yard but got braver this year and added one to the side yard, which you can see from the street. I’d love to read more of her ideas for integrating them with ornamentals.
How wonderful! AFter a few years of here-n-there plantings that sometimes lived and never looked great…I learned my lesson and have forgone the usual spring planting to create the hardscape and planting spaces that I’ll fill in later. Like you say, it’s all about structure and definition. The planting fun will come later when the ‘bones’ of the backyard are complete. Then….the front yard! HOpfully I get to use this book as my guide. 😉 PS. A signed copy would be awesome for the Friends of Brentwood Park silent auction…hint.
This book looks awesome! I have actually been waiting for it to come out. Each year our garden grows bigger and bigger, and soon it really will be in the front yard!
I have always loved landscaping with food but she takes it to a whole new level!
Thanks so much for the review. It looks like a great book.
I’ve explored around your blog alot, love it. Would also love a copy of this book. If I had the money, I’d have purchased the book already.
The DIY emphasis really appeals to me. I would love to read what options she has to offer for those of us who are willing to try things on our own – whether we succeed or not!
Would love to get this book. Need all the help I can get on vegetables!
i need this book. i’ve done simple things in the front yard, like winter squash among cascading nasturtiums, but i could take it so much further!
I LOVE that some people have the cajones to do front yard gardening…of course, I’m not one of them. But then, that’s probably because I always think of plants like tomatoes (which would not be the best front yard plant) unlike, say, basil, rosemary, and oregano or chard and mustard greens. So maybe that’s a challenge for myself – plant more edibles in the front yard.
I would love to win this book. expanding my backyard garden to my front yard has become a mission of mine. the issue I have is making sure it looks beautiful as well as being functional. this book would be invaluable to me!
I’ve begun to venture into front yard food production by planting an Italian prune plum tree. Looks like there are lots more ideas in this book!
This looks like a MUST HAVE book. Thanks for sharing about it Pam !
Is it terrible that this is my first comment ever (though I’ve been reading you for a long time)? I’m a friend of The Bicycle Garden guru (does that help my chances?!). Joking, of course! But I am serious when I say that your blog is one of my favorites, and two, my favorite thing to grow is edibles, so this book would be just perfect! Thanks for the work that you do on the blog, and this fun contest. Best to you– Karen
It’s not terrible in the least, Karen! I’m glad to know you’re here. Thanks for reading! —Pam
Would love to garden “edible in the front yard if not for the deer. Am food gardening like a fiend in the back more than ever to make up for it-potatoes, tomatoes, Raspberries, peppers et al. The usual suspects that do not need naming! I wanna win! Woot woot! Pick me coach, send me in!
It is so exciting to eat right out of your yard. Even just a couple of peas or strawberries. This looks like a great book for summer!
Love to win the book! I’ve started veggie gardening in the front yard………the neighbors kind of looked at me weird! lol
Mowing less & growing more edibles sounds like the way to go.
The only edible I have in my front yard is chives and I use them constantly ’cause they’re only 5 steps out the front door! I’d love to see how to do more in front & do it beautifully…..
Not brave enough to convert my frontyard into garden beds but I like the idea of creating an herb/veggie-ornamental integrated landscape. I think I will start experimenting later this summer or early fall. I look forward to reading this new book! -from Austin, thanks!
How timeley! We are working on our front yard right now. This would be a great way to get rid of our lawn, landscape, and even get some veggies, too! Thanks for holding this contest 🙂
I would so love this book! Love picking veggies in the midst of my flower beds! Thank you for the opportunity! Pamie G.
I have a large front yard with good bones, it just needs MORE. I’d love to try her ideas.
Pick me! Pick me!!! My gardening group has a book club.
I have leafed through this book and it’s on my buy list. I would love to win it instead.
Maybe a book like this would help me convince my husband that we should turn our front weed-patch – uh, I mean, front yard – into a decorative/edible garden.
oh my! what perfect timing!!! i’m planning my edible garden now!! Thank you!!!
I would love to have this book! I’m moving back into my house that I’ve been renting for a year and we have plans to make the front yard a garden.
Thanks!
My lawnmower is up for sale…almost. I was struck this past May with an incredible urge to dig up my manicured, grassy lawn and begin cultivating my own urban farm. I have squash, pumpkins and iceland poppies sprounting in my alley where there was previously a maze of grass, weeds and rock. My fenceline now has sunflowers, nasturtiums and tomatoes in addition to four raised beds packed full of herbs, vegetables and native plants…but I have yet to take on the front yard! I have undergone a serious transformation of the way I approach gardening this past year and am constantly looking for new and inventive ideas to assist me along the way. I live and garden in western Montana and it seems as though the ‘edible front yard’ movement is slow to reach many of the communities here. I purchased this book “Edible Front Yard” for my mom this past Mother’s Day as she is my gardening inspiration…and I would cherish a copy of my own to push me each season to try new and different things! I am thrilled to have discovered this blog, thank you for posting and for holding this contest! – Alisan Rose
I’d love this…for one, our front yard is a very sad thing. Plus, I’ve really been wanting to start growing our own food, and it scares the be-geebers out of me; it sounds like this book would be user-friendly for a novice like me!
this book is gorgeous and i love the ideas for design plans – thats a big part of where my ignorance shows up! thanks for the giveaway!
I am so happy to see books like this become more mainstream. I am always trying to get my clients to realize the potential and beauty in mixed used gardens. This book is just another way to show them how awesome a garden can be with not just flowers, but edibles. I have a client off 33rd street that we tore out her front strip just to do this. People always walk by and think its cool that watermelons and all sorts of stuff are growing right there in the front at the curb. I hope this catches on!
I share your preference for ornamental plans, but if those veggies could be disguised in my garden as ornamentals . . . that might work!
What could be better than an edible front yard!
My HOA would welcome vegetables in the front yard (perhaps??!) …they’d be green unlike the mammoth lawn I refuse to water! Rain and a new garden book…two things that would be a great treat here in Houston. Keep up the great blog…I especially enjoyed the recent garden tours. Julia
This is a topic near and dear to my heart… I am on my 3rd re-reading of Edible Forest Gardens by Dave Jacke. I’m so glad to see more acceptance for incorporating edibles into traditionally designed home landscapes. Thanks for posting this!
I would love to read this book and add some veggies to my yard!
I see I’m in good company with you and the Lazy Shady Gardener on the Apartment Therapy blog today. Cool!
Way cool! Thanks for letting me know about that, Abbey. —Pam
Yay! I love this blog AND the idea of edible front yards. I’m so down with this give-away chance! Thanks!!
i need a book just like this to kick my gardening butt in to gear!
I will definitely be buying this book if my luck doesn’t help me this time :)..sounds like a great must have for my gardening library.
Hi Pam & Ivette! I have my first above ground garden that I started this Spring in the Travis Heights neighborhood of Austin. Much to my dismay, I have only had a few tomatoes come out of my 4×4 garden that includes okra, cucumber, and peppers as well. I’m sure this book would help me learn how to get more out of my garden moving forward. Have a nice day, cheers!
I would love to have a copy of this book. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
I need to read this. I’ve come to the sad conclusion that there is just no way for me to grow tomatoes and other sun-loving vegetables in my backyard.
Thanks for offering the giveaway! I’m hoping I’ll have a new summer read 🙂
I don’t have a front yard yet, I have a 150 square foot community garden plot that is a mixed flower/vegetable garden. But I’m about a year off owning a home, and have already drawn up plans for future front and backyards. This would be fabulous inspiration, I never saw the need for a front yard to be landscape only!
I wonder if this book would help Larry agree to my planting some veggies in the front yard. I came very close to planting some tomatoes in the new planting area, but the soil was kind of hard in the area I was thinking of. I can’t remember the comment Larry made that made me think I shouldn’t push it this year. Maybe next year, I’ll amend the soil, and plant a few. I should check out that book to see how to arrange things so they look good.
I have my foliage follow-up post almost finished.
This would help to convince my landlord that so much yard is a waste of space. So much time and expense for what? I need bigger gardens after having owned a farm! Thanks for the opportunity.
I would love to make my entire front yard into an edible landscape. This is great!
Oh wow = I’m drooling over that photo of basil = they’re HUGE and BEAUTIFUL!! I was hoping for additional comments on that too!
Thank you for your write up, it was greatly informative :*)
Me please.
I have long been a reader of your website, love your creativity and knowledge of photography and gardening. After 3 years of trying, I finally grew edible tomatoes, parsley, and basil. The book will be a wonderful resource for a new gardener with much enthusiasm.
I would love to win this! I’ve had plans for a vegetable garden separate from flowers, but would love some ideas for incorporating edibles in with the ornamentals.
First time on your site. Love the pics and lay out. I’m always looking for inspiration for outdoor projects.
This book looks like exactly what I need.
I am DYING with excitement from all the enthusiasm from your readers, lovely Pam! I am crossing my fingers for each and every one of them – thank you ever so much for featuring my book!
Kiss Kiss!
Ivette
I know–I’m excited for you to see how many people would love to read your book! I wish they could all win, but I’m sure you’d love for at least a few to buy your book. 😉 —Pam
oooh, pick me, pick me!! I could even save you the postage (i’m in Austin) 😉
It’s being shipped from the publisher, Sandy, but good try! 🙂 —Pam
Sounds like the perfect book for me to add to my collection right now. We’re fencing in a new area to protect it from our voracious deer and have new garden soil in place. I’m a new reader of this blog and have found so much wonderful inspiration here. Thank you!
I’m very excited to find your blog via Re-Nest/Apartment Therapy!
Thanks for visiting, Christina! —Pam
great giveaway!! so glad you featured this book— it sounds like it might have an answer to my front yard woes. i love the idea of edibles, especially beautiful ones. thanks!
I feel as if my front yard is just for show. Nothing but lawn. I would love to use if more productively. Growing food for myself and others would be great. How to do it with style and in a low key manner is the dilemma. I am also on a budget. The book would be awesome, especially if it is designed for diy people. Thanks.
I think your garden is beautiful and I really like your pond. I never thought to use a watering tub for a pond.
Also, I would like the book, because I am trying to grow more of my own food.
Thanks,
Annetha
Please, please, please…I want, I want, I want! I would love to win this book…I’ve always tried to incorporate a few veggies in with my ornamentals and I love the DIY stuff. I’m over here in southeast Texas. I need to try some of your drought tolerant plants because as soon as I invest in them it would surely rain! Washing the car hasn’t done a bit of good around here.
I love your blog too Pam! This book would benefit sooo many gardeners. What a fabulous giveaway.
I just looked at this blog for the first time today – and I am incredibly inspired! We are in the north (up near Canada) and in the last 2 years I have been planning…planning…. planning…. and am just starting to put donated orphan plants from friends and family in to the ground. I am lucky to have a husband who likes most things and will indulge my hairbrained schemes to build/construct/repurpose stuff that makes no logical sense to him! I plan to pick up a few books you’ve mentioned and continue on my track to becoming lesser of a novice at gardening and landscaping! I am excited to start following your blog!
We are loving the second year of our front yard edible garden. Book sounds great!
I would love to use this to convince my husband that an edible front yard is a good idea! He’s so hesitant to break away from the perfect lawn mentality.
I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this book! Crossing my fingers 🙂
This is a book I could use, though it would be for the backyard, which is enclosed by 8′ deer-proof fence. Patricia
What a great giveaway! I think I need this book whether I win or not.
I just discovered this blog – just in time it seems! I’m about to move into my first house, and am adamant about getting rid of the lawn. The backyard is too shady for vegetables, so this book seems perfect for me!
My home faces east so my backyard gets full afternoon sun, which can be a bit harsh for some cool season veggies here in North Texas, so I love the idea of growing veggies in the front yard!
I’ve spent all spring clearing out invasive plants and noxious weeds from my yard, and looking forward to planting a combination of natives and edibles. This sounds like the perfect resource!
I am just tip toeing in the gardening world and feel the need to devour all things related to it. I would LOVE this book for my own library.
Wow, what a great write up. I love the idea edible front yards Ivette’s take on it shines as does she!
This sounds like it would be a wonderful book and I would love to have it. Thank you.
Heard about this book from email sent from Annie’s Annuals and Perennials. This article makes me want it even more. Wish I could attend Ms. Soler’s free talk @ Annie’s on 06/25/11. Maybe I will get lucky.
Thanks.
Donna
This book has gotten some great reviews & it certainly sounds like a must have for those of us looking to expand into bigger & better veggie gardening. Thanks for the offer, Pam!
I was thinking of adding this to our list of topics for garden club. Some of the edible plants are quite beautiful and I’d love to see the designs. Thanks, Pam!
Would love to add this book to our collection. We’re just now venturing out to more gardening in the front yard – to be honest, we’re running out of room out back, and, well, there’s more sun out front, and a million other reasons to try this. Thanks for the opportunity.
I would love a copy of Edible Front Yard! I have an edible front yard now, but always looking for new and wonderful ideas…Plus it’s my birthday! Come on, this would be a great gift for meeeee!! 🙂
I am a major veggie gardener. And I do grow my okra in my front yard already. I have been looking at this book for a while. Your blog is really fun. I am glad I was linked to it. Will enjoy reading it.
I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while! It sounds really great. 🙂
I love this book borrowed it from the library and I an obsessed, I live on a corner with a ally so I have traffic on 3 sides of my house so I try to feel like I have 3 front yards and I am just starting it out
I’ve been slowly moving towards a front yard garden to replace the lawn (there’s a long way to go still) after finally coming to terms with the fact that the back is just too shady. Thankfully I live in an area without an HOA, but I’m still aiming to keep it as attractive as I can (for myself to enjoy and so the neighbors don’t think too badly of it).
I’ve only recently found your blog. Its a nice mix of photos and info and humor – came across you via the Black Pearl pepper post.
We are moving toward educating our patients and getting them into growing their own food. We are relandscaping into a sustainable front and back yard. I would love to have this book. It would make the relandscaping more educated, and would be a great source for our patients.
Boy that’s a lot of comments, Pam. Review sounds great – I know Ivette appreciates your support.
I would love a copy of this! Thanks for the chance.
Pick me! Pick me! (she says while jumping up and down.) This is EXACTLY what I’m trying to plan for my front yard. The book looks fabulous.
This sounds right up my alley. I’d love to read it. Luckily, nobody in my neighborhood seems to care what my yard looks like. 🙂
I would love to read this book. I will also review the book after I read it. I’ve only started fon yard veggies last year.
A timely book — everyone wants veggies this year!
I love the idea of this book. I have been an edible advocate, garden designer, for years. What is not to love about nibbling your way around a garden, even in your from yard. I coud this information!
I tend to like planting more ornamentals for many of the same reasons you described. This sounds like a great way to do both withou sacrificing the aesthetic element. I’d love to read it!
The only sunny spot we have for a garden is in the front yard next to the street. I would love to demonstrate the beauty and practicality of designing an edible front yard garden. It’s a timely topic since I’m minding my friends vegetable garden while she’s traveling in china this month. Today, I learned how to freeze all that extra zucchini from the garden. Easy and so delicious.
All my neighbors have huge expanses of lawn but I believe they will try this too when they see how well it works.
I’m so glad I stopped by today, Pam, after not visiting for a long time. I’m not finding much time for blogging or visiting blog friends these days, sad to say, and I miss it.
This book sounds wonderful and it would be great fun to drool over the pages. Those herbs look so pretty, not to mention those lovely tomatoes and other veggies.
Nice to catch up with you!
I’ve already planted sage and lavender in my front gardens, but would love to take the leap to even more edibles!
A definite must have. I’m a garden junkie for whatever I can manage to fit into my garden and my schedule. I would rather play in my garden than clean my house anyday!!! and then I get rewarded with nummies and tons of other benies. This should be a way of life for all who feel the need or desire.
Congrats on your first born, btw!!! Superb job!
I need this book! We are about to move in our first house which means this will be my first garden!