Best Herb Gardening Books of 2026

The Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by DK is a comprehensive guide to herbs and their medicinal properties. It features over 550 plants, with advice on how to grow and harvest your own herb garden. The book includes stunning photography and an informative guide to 100 key herbs and their traditional vs current uses. With 450 further plant entries listing their properties and practical remedies for a range of ailments, this book is a must-have for self-sufficient herbalists. The Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine is well-suited to herbal medicine practitioners and students alike. It is an ideal gift for the green-fingered gardener in your life with a niche for natural remedies.

This beginner's guide to medicinal herbs by Rosemary Gladstar provides an excellent introduction to identifying and cultivating 33 healing plants and creating homemade remedies for common ailments. The book includes advice on preparing and using herbs in healing tinctures, oils, and creams. For those new to using herbs medicinally, this book is the perfect entry, with easy recipes, preparation basics, and growing know-how. Even experienced herbalists can find fresh inspiration in this sparkling gem of a book. Overall, Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide is an empowering and informative addition to any home library.

Leaves, Roots & Fruit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting an Organic Kitchen Garden is a must-read for anyone who dreams of growing their own fresh, organic food. Nicole Johnsey Burke’s intuitive gardening system matches a plant’s needs to a gardener’s resources, resulting in a practical and successful kitchen garden. The book provides step-by-step instructions for setup, care, and harvest for each category of plants, making it easy for gardeners of all levels to grow with their plants. What makes this book unique is Burke’s emphasis on sustainability and her focus on the three categories of plants: leaves, roots, and fruit. This book is required reading for anyone who wants to grow their own food.

Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre is a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about small-area farming. It offers a holistic approach to producing 85% of an average family's food on just a quarter acre while earning $10,000 in cash annually. The book includes topics such as composting, raising chickens, water and irrigation, dealing with pests, and much more. Brett L. Markham, the author of the bestselling Mini Farming series, provides detailed materials, tools, and techniques with photographs, tables, diagrams, and illustrations. This book is a must-have for anyone interested in self-sufficiency and small-scale farming.

This book, titled "Herbal Antibiotics: What BIG Pharma Doesn’t Want You to Know - How to Pick and Use the 45 Most Powerful Herbal Antibiotics for Overcoming Any Ailment," is an in-depth guide to using natural remedies for fighting infections and boosting immunity. The author provides detailed information on the top 45 most valuable herbs and their properties, as well as essential oils with natural antibiotic properties. The book also includes a FAQ section and herbal remedy recipes for common ailments. This book is a great resource for those looking to explore natural healing and herbal medicine.

Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills is an eminently useful, full-color guide that teaches basic living skills employed by our forefathers and adapts them for a better life in the twenty-first century. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to learn old-fashioned skills and escape to an era before power saws and fast-food restaurants. The book is complete with tips for old-fashioned fun, including homemade toys, kayaking tips, and square dancing calls. Highly recommended for dreamers and those who want to live a healthier, greener, and more self-sufficient lifestyle.

The Cannabis Grow Bible is the ultimate guide to growing marijuana for both recreational and medicinal use. With over 700 pages, the book covers every aspect of marijuana horticulture, plant breeding, and hash production. The book includes all new information and updated advice, making it an invaluable resource for novice and professional growers alike. The quick start guide allows growers to get started right away, while the later chapters provide detailed step-by-step guides. This comprehensive and straightforward guide is the best resource for growers on the market.

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs is a comprehensive guide that provides magical uses of over 400 herbs and plants from all over the world. The book is a must-have for those who perform natural magic, featuring illustrations for easy identification of every herb, in addition to common names, use, and rulership. The cross-referenced index of folk names is particularly impressive. Scott Cunningham's encyclopedic book is perfect for anyone interested in folklore or who practices magic with herbs.

Kitchen Garden Revival is a comprehensive guide to designing and maintaining a modern, stylish, and low-maintenance edible garden. Written by Nicole Johnsey Burke, the founder of Rooted Garden and Gardenary, this book provides expert advice on how to create a beautiful and practical kitchen garden with raised planting beds. The book includes tips on selecting the best crops for your garden, a planting plan, and season-by-season growing guides. Kitchen Garden Revival is an accessible and inspirational guide that shows how to grow your own food in a fashionable and practical way.

Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening, written by Louise Riotte, is a must-have guide for any gardener of edibles, whether serious or casual. The book offers insightful advice on how to utilize the natural properties of plants to nourish the soil, repel pests, and secure a greater harvest. Riotte provides suggestions for planting schemes, how to use herbal sprays to control insects, what wild plants to encourage in the garden, and much more. The book is a practical and informative guide that has become legendary in gardening circles since its first publication in 1975.