The Best Gardening Books — The Mother Cooker

There are an overwhelming selection of gardening books to choose from when you are a beginner gardener. But today I have selected my favourite and most used books to help you on your beginner journey into gardening.

When you first start out on your green fingered journey, there is a lot of information to process. When do you start seeds? What is the difference between transplanting and potting on? How big will the plant get and what space will I need? A lot of people ask me questions on Instagram and they all seem to repeat the same problems. It's what lead me to write this post about gardening terms explained.

Veg in One Bed, Huw Richards

This book is great if you are lacking space and can only fit one bed in your garden. It is a clear and very in depth book with when to sow, so that you have a supply of food all year round. I love Huw because he is so passionate about growing. He started his Youtube channel when he was very young and is now a best selling author. The book has super step by step images to help you see exactly what you should be doing. along with added bonuses like how to make paper pots, how to build a compost bin and a year planner that plans out things easily.

How to Grow, Hollie Newton

I recommend Hollie's book to everyone that asks for a book recommendation. Mainly because it's clear, funny and fuss free. It covers the basics very simply and is super easy to understand. She's just so likeable and it shines through in her writing. It also has some awesome garden to table recipes and of course that is something I can get on board with. It's one of the first books I bought when starting on my growing journey and I never regretted it.

Wild Food, Roger Phillips

If you are into foraging and want a great book on it then look no further. This is a great visual journal that covers so many things. I bought it because I got a lot more into foraging this year. Being able to get food for free is pretty awesome and most of them are packed with amazing medicinal properties. Just be prepared for a lot of mushrooms, who knew there could be so many!

Grow Yourself healthy, Beth Marshall

This is one of my favourite books I've bought this year. I actually sent a copy to my friend because I knew he'd love it to. I've recommended it to a few people. It's a great book to have if you are growing your own fruit and vegetables, as it states all the benefits for each family. The images are stunning and I go back and read it often now I am planning a brand new allotment. One I highly recommend if you want to understand the benefits of grow your own.

The Allotment Almanac, Terry Walton

Terry is one of those lovely men that have spent most of their lives on an allotment, gathering a vast amount of knowledge. Covering likely pests, tips and with clear month by month directions, it's a great book to have in your arsenal. I love his 'stories from the plot' as it adds a bit of story from the writer. A bit like your grandad giving you his secret gardening journal (think Snape and his potions book).

Gardening Through the Year, Ian Spence

I couldn't really be an RHS student and not recommend a book by them. My aunt bought me this one for my birthday one year and it's great. Unlike the others this covers the whole garden, not just the food parts. With tips on sowing, pruning, planting and storing. It is a vast amount of knowledge, including bonus things like how to make a cold frame. A book that any gardener should own.