Author(s): Tasha Greer; Greta Moore (Illustrator); Lindsey Feldpausch (Contribution by)

Gardening | Plants | Food & Drink

Grow Your Own Spices shows gardeners of all skill levels how to grow their own spices, including ginger, turmeric, saffron, cumin, and many more.

In Grow Your Own Spices, author and spice-growing gardener Tasha Greer hands you everything you need to know to grow a thriving spice garden, with practical tips and in-depth advice on cultivating over 30 different spices.

Unlike herbs, which consist of the green leaves of certain plants, spices come from the seeds, roots, bark, or berries of plants, which means growing, harvesting, and preparing spices is a lot more nuanced than growing leafy herbs. Start with easy-to-grow seed spices first, such as sesame seeds, fennel, and cumin, then graduate to more challenging spice varieties, such as star anise, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spices not only offer culinary flare, there's also increasing evidence of their ability to fight inflammation and reduce various health risks. Medical usage tips from expert herbalist Lindsey Feldpausch are found throughout the book and offer well-researched advice on how to use homegrown spices to improve your well-being.

Regardless of whether you're using spices as a health-boosting supplement or simply to power-up the flavor of your meals, purchasing spices is an expensive proposition. Why pay all that money when you can grow your own organic spices with the easy-to-follow advice found here? In the pages of Grow Your Own Spices, you'll learn:

How to cultivate your own saffron, the world's most expensive spice
The best way to tend tropical spices, like ginger, turmeric, and cardamom, even if you live in a cold climate
Easy-to-grow spices that are perfect for beginners
The unique way certain spices, such as wasabi, cloves, and cinnamon, are grown and harvested
How to cultivate root spices, including horseradish and chicory
Tips for harvesting your own capers, mustard, sesame seeds, and even paprika

Let Grow Your Own Spices show you how to spice up your garden, your plate, and your health, with your own fresh, homegrown spices!

Review: "...makes a compelling case for the home cultivation of more than 30 types of spices." * Washington Gardener *
"I was delighted with this book and considered it great for someone...to broaden their own selection of homegrown spices in their garden." * Budget Earth *
"Greer, a sustainable living homesteader, provides plenty of great ideas, inspiration, and personal experiences as well as tips on cultivating 32 spices...this entire book has easy-to-use organization, plus it is all illustrated by great photographs." -- Kathi Keville * American Herb Quarterly *

Contents: INTRODUCTION: SPICE-THE FINAL FRONTIER IN MODERN HOME FOOD PRODUCTION
Basic Spice Plant Care
SECTION 1: Fast-growing Seed Spices
Techniques for Starting Spice Plants from Seed
Cool-season Seed Spices
Warm-season Seed Spices
SECTION 2: The Spice Underground
Techniques for Growing Spices from Roots, Bulbs, and Rhizomes
Temperate Climate Spices
Tropical Climate (or Temperate Container) Spices
SECTION 3: Perennial Spices
Techniques for Growing Perennial Spices
Mediterranean and Temperate Perennial Spices
Tropical and Subtropical Climate Perennial Spices
Conclusion: Tending Our Garden