Alluring Lettuces

by Jack Staub

Seventy-five unusual and eminently beautiful vegetables are profiled in this charming book by expert gardener and garden designer Jack Staub. Within these pages, you’ll discover produce not likely found at the supermarket, including the Asparagus Bean, Chinese Rat Tail Radish, Green Zebra Tomato, and Turkish Orange Eggplant. Staub presents the charming history and lore surrounding the plants as well as instructions for growing them outdoors or indoors in containers.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2010

Reviews

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good for a list of edible plants, but not a compelling read.

[Kbg503 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the historical bits, the description on how it looks, and the simple recipes.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was fascinating- nothing that I'm in the mood for reading right now, but really interesting. It's less of a gardening book or cookbook- more of a cultural history of each vegetable. Kind of micro-gastro-history. I didn't read all of it (not the time and place), but I might, if it was laying around and I had nothing else (or I was in the mood for dryer text).

[Cristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful knowledge about absolutely beautiful plants that aren't mainstream in today's garden. But, obtainable if you look for them! Water color pictures and profound history cover every plant. Could not put it down as I wanted to constantly absorb the beauty of reading this book!

[Brittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about the history of these vegetables. This is a book I'd like in my personal library.