Helpful Score: 1
I selected this book because it was compact and titled to indicate being specific to our region. I must say, I love the binding and cover, a water and tear resistant material. The paper is a high gloss, making the photos really stand out. The majority of the book is devoted to an alphabetical listing/description of individual herbs (with a little cross over from hard to define plants like Arugula). Each entry is fairly detailed, with each herb getting their own introduction, features, growing, tips, recommended varieties, harvest/processing, and uses. Some entries even include recipes for things like soap, oils, and lotions. The information is a concise overview for the herb.
This is a good introduction book but isn't going to last long as a useful reference guide. There isn't enough information about specific growing conditions. The book is titled "...for the Midwest" but nothing in the book gives reason for that distinction. The only hint is found in the introduction which includes a zone hardiness map but the selection printed is now out of date (due to some very recent changes by the USDA) and, more importantly, has the smallest "Midwest" listing I've seen. Included are Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. Missng but commonly included in maps are Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and N and S Dakota. The biggest reason for not recommending this book is the fact that unless you're willing to read through 200 pages of herb listings, there's no way to intelligently decide which herbs you want to focus on.
Pros: Detailed, well organized entry for each herb listed in the book.
Cons: Not enough specific growing information, nothing specific to midwest
Three stars, though, for high quality printing and including a photo of each herb.
This is a good introduction book but isn't going to last long as a useful reference guide. There isn't enough information about specific growing conditions. The book is titled "...for the Midwest" but nothing in the book gives reason for that distinction. The only hint is found in the introduction which includes a zone hardiness map but the selection printed is now out of date (due to some very recent changes by the USDA) and, more importantly, has the smallest "Midwest" listing I've seen. Included are Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. Missng but commonly included in maps are Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and N and S Dakota. The biggest reason for not recommending this book is the fact that unless you're willing to read through 200 pages of herb listings, there's no way to intelligently decide which herbs you want to focus on.
Pros: Detailed, well organized entry for each herb listed in the book.
Cons: Not enough specific growing information, nothing specific to midwest
Three stars, though, for high quality printing and including a photo of each herb.
