Hello friends! Today I have the most untimely review for you, maybe ever: The Comic Book Guide to Growing Food, right at the beginning of the cold season! At least it’s a positive review, right??

I think I mentioned in some recent posts that I have been super into houseplants lately. Well, my cats, it turns out, are not super into houseplants lately. Eloise (or Squeeze, as she is more affectionately referred to) has thoroughly enjoyed throwing my pot of Moses-in-the-cradle on the floor, as well as monching on my window leaf plant, which has now been relocated out of the reach of a Squeeze. So when I was visiting Gibson’s last week my sister convinced my to get this lovely comic book introduction to growing things outdoors, where Squeeze cannot harm them.

I am someone who has always assumed they have the opposite of a green thumb, one that kills everything it touches, so I think that just about accurately conveys how much gardening knowledge I have. I’ve always been confused by when you plant things, how people keep it straight how often you water things, and oh my god, don’t even get me started on fertilizer. But this book? This book is a gem. I have never been more enthusiastic about raised beds. I almost drove my ass to Home Depot the second I finished this thing, and I rent, people.

Jokes aside, this book is super cute. It’s written as an actual story between two characters, Mia and George, as Mia learns to start her first vegetable garden with help and guidance from her neighbor and gardening guru, George. It makes for an amazing beginner guide, as well as a palatable introduction to gardening with a purpose! I can’t even tell you how much this simplified my questions about gardening, and got me excited to start.

George has some super helpful cheat sheets in here that you’ll absolutely love if you are as much a beginner as I am. What kinds of vegetables are easy to grow for beginners, how you know when you’re watering too much or too little, and how to harvest your bounty: it’s all in here. While I read this book cover to cover today, I also know that when spring rolls around, this is going to be one of the first books I pick out to get me started on my first garden as a real. Adult. Human. You can use it both ways, I would say.

Additionally, the art style in this? Adorable. Mad props to Liz Anna Kozik, who I am reading actually does specifically science-y and environmental comics, which is super cool. You can tell in her drawings that she knows what she’s talking about, but it also makes for some gorgeous spreads. Like, I would love to have some of these images framed, honestly.

Highly recommend The Comic Book Guide to Growing Food! Maybe just not in November. 😉 Grab a copy now and get ready for the spring, maybe? Anyways, I can’t wait to use this guide to start my own garden next year, as I know it was definitely comprehensive enough to get me started and to see some success. While we’re on the subject, anyone have some great gardening books they can recommend?

Happy November pals, and have a wonderful week!