Botany of the Kitchen Garden: The Science and Horticulture of Our Favourite Crops

A comprehensive guide to understanding and improving food crops.

People have been growing fruits and vegetables in domesticated spaces for centuries. In Botany of the Kitchen Garden, Hélèna Dove expertly combines horticulture and science to demonstrate that by examining the botany of plants we can understand plants’ behaviors and adaptations, giving readers and growers the tools to delve further into their favorite foods. From asparagus, cabbage, lettuce, and raspberry to pineapple, tomatillo, and okra, each plant entry includes information on etymology, cultivation history, growing habits, varieties, and much more. By giving readers a closer look at the everyday crops we grow and eat, this book will help them cultivate more productive plots, develop a renewed zest for the food on our plates, and gain a deeper understanding of all the aspects of the history and science of their gardens.

Helena Dove is the kitchen gardener at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. She is the author of The Kew Gardener’s Guide to Growing Vegetables and The Botanical City.