A fascinating book detailing the procedures for growing and harvesting numerous spices. The instructions are clear, well set out and with plenty of inspiration. I will be using this for growing garlic on our new allotment.

A stunning reference book that will be used over and over.

This is a beautiful book with lots of great photos. I enjoyed the layout, with different sections on spices with short seasons, that favor cold weather, etc. My main problem with it is that it doesn't seem set up to really help the average novice or intermediate gardener actually be successful with most of the spices featured. Sometimes there's just not enough information, like the two pages on sumac. First of all, nobody really needs to grow that as it grows wild just about everywhere (one variety or another). But more than that, she doesn't talk about how to actually harvest it. I love foraging sumac to make "sumac ade" in the late summer. You take the fresh red clusters of furry "berries" (drupes really) and soak them in cool water, then strain through cheesecloth to remove the tiny hairs and sweeten it. It's a lovely pink color and tastes like natural lemonade, but better. Our family also just likes to pick a few of them during hikes and suck on them like nature's Sweet Tarts. Sumac is a popular spice in middle eastern spice mixes, but I've never had success gathering it for spice because first of all rain leaches the wonderful flavor out of it so you have to get just in the right time between when it ripens and before any rain gets on it. Secondly, I've never been clear if I'm supposed to grind the drupes, somehow rub off the fuzzy red spice part or what. This book tells you that it's a popular spice and what varieties you can grow if you're not in a hot region, but it doesn't tell you how to actually harvest it or warn you about the rain thing. There are a lot of other examples of this, where I know enough about a plant to know there's a lot that's not mentioned that make it difficult to proceed without another resource. For a beginner who doesn't know these plants that well, they're not going to realize how much information is lacking that they need. Also, the information about winnowing and separating chaff seemed similarly minimized. I've tried doing this with wild herbs and spices and it is a really time consuming, difficult process with a lot of plants. A paragraph or two does not really cover how tricky this can be with some seeds. Other plants like cinnamon really set most home gardeners up for a pricey disappointment in my opinion, but as long as you're okay with that it can still be a fun learning experience (even the author admits her cinnamon failed, even though she swears anyone can grow it).

This is one of those books that's a joy to read through and will get you excited to try the hobby. I don't know if it's enough to help you be 100% successful (or even 50%) but it will still be a fun read for many and does contain quite a lot of information nonetheless.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review. (Side note: Many of the pages in my ARC were inserted upside down, making it really difficult to read for review. I didn't mark down my review since it's no doubt not going to be the case for the people who read the finished book, but it made it unpleasant and frustrating to try to read this book.)

This is beautifully illustrated book with a lot of good information about spice plants. It could be useful for those people who want to learn more about spices and how to grow them. I am studying herbalism and this inspired me to try and also grow one or two spice plants, especially my namesake ginger!
I received a complementary copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting look at ways to grow your own spices at home. Frustrating though, as I had the downloaded version, and there were several pages upside down. Also, at times this felt a bit over my head with language and method. Would be better suited for some that had more gardening background, especially organic. I tend to like growing herbs and vegetables in containers, but would like to advance to raised beds, since I cannot kneel down anymore. Like the basic idea of this book, and do like how the different spices are discussed for use and history. Would recommend.

Such an inspirational book to read and enjoy on this -20C wintry November day. As a master gardener all things horticultural are of particular interest to me. I love to grow herbs and spices for the reasons the author list, including to enhance cooking and baking and for mental health (what fun to watch things grow!).

The photography and illustrations are brilliant and salivatory! In our frigid climate with only 90 frost-free days a year we are extremely limited to what we can grow outside. Tricky inside as well as winters are so long and dark and furnaces dry things to a crisp. Still, we do still have some options. In our Europe garden we are able to grow nearly anything and this book has given me some fresh ideas such as growing cumin, nigella and cinnamon. The author must find incredible gratification with what she grows and harvests.

The book includes information on sowing and planting, materials needed, details on requirements needed (such as climate), watering requirements, animal and pollution considerations, when and how to harvest, propagation, etc. I like the side information on growing conditions as well. Very helpful. I will definitely utilize the pillowcase idea! Though I won't be growing vanilla, galangal or peppercorns (love them all!) reading about them is enriching.

Whether you are just starting out or have gardened for decades you will glean ideas from this book. At the very least you can absorb and learn and dream!

My sincere thank you to Quarto Publishing Group - Cool Springs Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this lovely book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.

I am a nerd for a well laid out book, as well as all things plants/gardening and this book nailed both on the head. Grow Your Own Spices, is broken down into 3 well laid out sections; Fast-growing seed spices, The spice underground, and perennial spices. Those sections are then broken down into 3 more sections each covering everything about its respective plants. Not only is this book FILLED with tons of useful information on where, how and when to grow your spices, but also accompanied by beautiful photos to give it a well rounded feel. Grow Your Own Spices by Tasha Greer is the perfect addition to any homesteader or gardeners bookshelf, and I cannot wait till spring to put some of this information to use!

I'm sorry, but I was unable to download this book.. I was looking forward to reading this, but I'm unable to offer a review.

In the myriad of gardening books, there aren't many "must-haves", but this is definitely one of them for me. Spices aren't the biggest in volume of our food intake, of course, but they are very important for taste. And why buy plants only for decoration, when you can grow your own herbs and spices?
This book is very informative, has a great layout, and the illustrations are pure art.

Such a great guide to growing your own herbs and spices. This book has given me confidence on how to choose and grow the right spices and herbs for my family. It has beautiful color photographs and so much helpful information! I will definitely be purchasing a paper copy of this book when it comes out, and maybe even extras to give as presents for my garden loving friends and family.

Thank you Netgalley for my copy of Grow Your Own Spices by Tasha Greer!

Grow Your Own Spices: Harvest homegrown ginger, turmeric, saffron, wasabi, vanilla, cardamom, and other incredible spices -- no matter where you live by Tasha Greer
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group – Cool Springs Press
Genre: Health, Mind & Body | Home & Garden
Release Date: December 8, 2020

Grow Your Own Spices by Tasha Greer is a great resource for beginner (& advanced) gardening.

The author shares so many tips and delves into how to grow fast-growing spices grown from seeds, as well as plants grown from underground. She also covers perennial plants. Each section also includes information on cool and warmer weather plants.

I find this to be a great resource for an at-home gardener who is looking to start growing spices. I found it very interesting and I look forward to starting my garden soon.

I'm so grateful to Tasha Greer, Quarto Publishing Group – Cool Springs Press, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This was really useful! I've been gardening for about 7 years and I've grown a bunch of herbs and a few spices so far, but being a huge spice fan, I wanted to know more. This book starts on the basics and gets progressively harder with each group, introducing plants that need more care. Nutmeg is my favourite spice and apparently it takes 25 years to grow a tree that bears fruit, so I'll probably pass on that one, but I'll definitely try my hand at cumin!

I enjoyed reading through this book, I have growing herbs for years and was interested in how to grow from seed and also any medicinal benefits that herbs have. This book is clear and easy to read and follow. The hand drawn illustrations are beautiful. I like the fact there are photos to cover each herb for easy identification.
Thank you for my copy to review :)

I'm sorry, but I was unable to download this book unto my Kindle. Therefore, I am unable to offer a review.

I have always wondered how various spices such as cardamom and vanilla are grown. I had assumed they had to be grown where it was warm, but having read this wonderful little introduction to growing spices, I realise that is not necessarily the case. I enjoyed this fact-packed and beautifully illustrated guide to planting, cultivating and using each of the spices mentioned. There are lots of growing tips and the author explains clearly which are harder to grow and why. I found the medicinal tips interesting too. Using the instructions in this book I am hoping to guide my liquorice plant back to health. Thank you to Tasha Greer, Net Galley and Quarto Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book via netgalley!

Even thought it isn’t a long book, it encompasses so much information in a clear and simple way. This book helps you identify best times and ways to plant, care and turn your herbs into spices. I also loved the fact that I can make my favorite thaï soup using all spices from a garden!l and this book explains how!

A short, but good introduction to growing your own spices at home. Some are common and familiar to us all, but we might not know how to grow them, and keep them alive. Other spices are not that commonly used every day, and quite frankly I feel a bit intimidated to grow them myself. Sadly, I don’t have a green thumb, so I’m not the first one to try something hard. If or when that they comes I know the book I’ll turn to when I need help.

I most definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject. Very useful information in a compact way, just the way I like it!

This book is literally perfect, even for total beginners in gardening.

As a health-conscious, young and busy urban resident, I've always wanted to grow my own spices at home, but couldn't actually envision myself doing it when my store-bought potted spices always died so fast. Grow Your Own Spices by Tasha Greer seems have been written especially for me.

The author doesn't beat around the bush (pun intended) and instead gives you the information you need along with some illustrations for those who, like me, don't know what a growing spice plant should look like. She covers everything from the soil and tools you need to the daily care of the plant, together with a timeline by weeks. I really love the concept that I can grow so many different spices regardless of my geographical location, as long as I pay attention to the seasons and correct care instructions, all of which is provided,

In addition to these basics, there are little tips on health benefits, as well as proper techniques for different types of plants, e.g. under- or above the ground.

My only remark is I wish it was longer and covered more types of spices, with a separate chapter on which exact ones are easiest to grow in an apartment.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.