From Seed to Skillet

By Jimmy Williams and Susan Heeger

Jimmy Williams pays homage to his family history in this inspiring step-by-step guide to designing and planting a backyard vegetable garden and growing one's own food. He learned all about vegetable gardening at the knee of his grandmother, a South Carolina native from a traditional Gullah community whose members were descendants of Caribbean slaves.

With this essential garden manual, home gardeners can learn how easy it is to:

• Plan a garden, design and construct growing beds
• Tend the crop without using harmful chemicals
• Learn about the best time to harvest gorgeous vegetables
• Cook a delicious feast using Jimmy's favorite family recipes

Novice and experienced gardeners and cooks will find unusual recipes for the garden (Jimmy's HayGround fertilizer blend) and the table too. As tomatoes, corn and okra ripen, try pairing Indian Summer Succotash with a main dish of the Gullah-inspired beans-and-rice dish, Hoppin' John, or Vegetable-Rice-Stuffed Tomatoes. And don't forget the Sweet Potato Biscuits!

Softcover. 176 pages. Chronicle Books 2010.