Review of The Northwest Herb Lover's Handbook: A Guide to Growing Herbs for Cooking, Crafts, and Home Remedies (Paperback)

This is Mary Preus' second book about herbs. The first, "Growing Herbs", covered the basics but was limited in scope. This book expands on the first, guiding the reader deeper into the world of herbs as well as describing 50 of the best-known herbs in detail. While the book is focussed on growing herbs in the Pacific Northwest, it would be a useful book for herb lovers anywhere.

The writer was for 20 years owner of the Silver Bay Herb Farm in Washington State. In the first 80 pages of the book she shares her extensive knowledge of herb growing basics and of using herbs for cooking, healing and crafts. She includes plenty of recipes that are both imaginative and practical. In this section also she explains how to plan and build different types of herb gardens, and how to harvest and preserve herbs.

Most of the book, however, is a detailed look at 50 species of herbs. The writer includes information about planting, propagation, pets and diseases, harvesting and uses for cooking, healing and crafts. I particularly liked the information about the chemical elements found in each species and their value in balanced healing and a healthy diet.

This is a thoughtfully written book from a knowledgeable and experienced herb gardener. The book ends with a calendar of seasonal tasks in the herb garden, a list of the herb gardens open in the region, sources for plants and seeds, and publications and societies of interest to herb gardeners.

Product Description
The soothing smell of lavender, rosemary's piney flavor,the bright colors of nasturtiums . . . herbs are wonderful things! Inthis handsome volume, Mary Preus provides a delightful entree into theworld of herbs with detailed instructions on how to grow 50 herbs andhow to enrich your life by using them everyday in an herballifestyle. Easy and delicious recipes, herbal crafts and gifts,landscaping with herbs, traditional and modern medicinal use,aromatherapy-it's all here in the Northwest Herb Lover's Handbook.

About the Author
Mary Preus, author of Growing Herbs, owned and operated theSilver Bay Herb Farm in Silverdale for 20 years. She has sold herproducts at the Pike Place Market and taught classes on growing andusing herbs. Preus lives in Seattle.

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