Plants from Pips: How to grow a garden from kitchen scraps

by Holly Farrel

What do avocados, apples, mangos and tomatoes have in common? The answer is that they can all be grown at home, for free, from pits that you would otherwise throw out with the recycling.


Plants from Pips shows you how to grow a range of fruit and vegetables, indoors and out, with minimum equipment and experience. This complete guide covers everything from the science of how plants grow to how to deal with pests and other problems. Find out what to grow, what to grow it in and when and where to grow it for the best results.

Packed with colorful photographs and step-by-step illustrations, this is the perfect way to introduce beginners of all ages, from 6 to 60, to the joys of watching things grow.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Horticulture, Plants

144 pages, Hardcover

First published April 6, 2015

Reviews

[Eline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zeker en vast een leuk boek voor iedereen die interesse heeft in (moes)tuinieren. Het boek ziet er niet alleen grafisch mooi uit, maar bevat ook nog eens handige to the point informatie. Voor mij krijg het net geen 5 sterren omdat ik graag per plantensoort wat uitgebreidere info had gehad voor het uitplanten van de pitten (zoals standplaats in de zon/schaduw ipv binnen of buiten) en het snoeien van de plant. Het laatste wordt zeer basic uitgelegd, waar het voor mij toch belangrijk is per soort na te gaan wat de beste snoeimethode is.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although not a juvenile book, this would be a great book to use with kids. Short chapters showing the science of the anatomy of seeds and pits and how they grow. How to choose and gather the pits, what they need to grow, and where to grow them (indoors or out). Describes the basic (and very minimal) equipment needed. How to water and feed. From avocados to tomatoes and in between (melons, berries, citrus, kiwi, olives dates, etc., etc.)
Repotting and support advice for plants as they grow. Pests, diseases, and other problems, how to take cuttings and much, much more.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish the author had spent more time talking about what these plants would grow into and what fruit they might produce. Also I know it's the title, but it's awkward to keep saying "pit" when talking about seeds.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

An excellent book, especially for those with little or no prior gardening knowledge. Think of it as a gardening primer, but not too dumbed down for people who already know how to sow seeds, transplant seedlings or prune. It's well laid out, with data available at a glance to help you decide whether this one is a project for you.

The first couple of chapters explain how pits grow and general plant basics. You can skip these if you already have gardening knowledge. Chapter 3 is the meat: this is where you learn how to successfully grow a surprisingly large variety of plants, from the common (plums, cherries, melons, avocado) to the uncommon (pomegranates, kiwi, papaya, peanuts). The last chapter covers the care of your plant: repotting, planting out, pruning, and a most useful section on diseases and pests. It would be worth buying just to have those pages readily to hand, because I've wasted hours trying to figure out what was bothering my plants in the past.

I dinged it half a star because one useful piece of information was missing: time till you can actually expect fruit. That was my only criticism.

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claves esenciales para aprender a plantar frutales exóticos y semillas especialmente complicadas.

[Book Grocer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchase Plants from Pits here for just $12!

A beautifully compiled and easy to follow guide on how to easily grow your own garden from every day kitchen scraps. Perfect for beginners, or as a reference for more experienced gardeners.

Kelsey - The Book Grocer

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the ease of use here, things like min temps and how much patience is required to grow. It really seemed like her answer to any seed starting is compost which in our case was extremely dense, but maybe that's because our limited variety to choose from.

Then again, this guide led me to the first avocado I've managed to grow to produce leaves so maybe she's onto something.

[Ed Zirkwitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It covers the basics of growing mainly fruits and berries from seeds.
The main focuses are: basic terminology, being successful at growing seeds, basic tools, potting,
re-potting, transferring to a garden, pruning, and a growing environment. Good for those who have no or limited experience and some good tips and reminders for the experienced.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Handy and entertaining, this little guide gives practical knowledge about how to raise some well-known tropical plants and food plants in the home. A must for every indoor gardener or the urban dweller that desires tropical touches to their home.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to try an avocado and citrus tree for sure!

[Pimplop · Rating 4 out of 5]

wenos tips

[h · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for beginners or for a reference book. Easy to use, informative and interesting. Great pictures.

[A I S U · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a (house) plant lover this is a must have! It’s so fun growing your own plants from pits! 🌱🌱🌱

Loved it!

[Andrea D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives very clear and exact instructions how to grow a wide variety of pits successfully. Also contains the basics of plant growth that I should have remembered from school. An excellent resource book and easy to use as such, but it gets repetitive if you read it straight through cover to cover.

[Marleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the illustrations with excellent information about working with pits and seeds as well as garden care and maintenance. Very easy to read and great resource for projects you can do with children and teenagers to help them learn how to grow their own food.

[Kelly Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that was meant for someone who had never seen seed. A little to condescending for most adults. Still it had some good information on sprouting pits.

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very handig, very useful. I've already grown some pomegranate bushes and I will certainly try more!

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is really good for gardening

[Mikie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full med basic, bra-att-kunna-info! 🌱