In mid-2014, passionate grower and gardening author Fabian Capomolla decided to up stumps and move to Italy for a year with his young family in tow.

From his time living in Lucca, and from watching as a child his nonno grow his own food, Fabian discovered that growing food the Italian way is defined by how they approach the task: with simplicity and without overcomplicating it.

This book will show you in simple, Italian-style terms! how to set up and maintain your veggie patch, and the extensive A-Z plant guide will help you decide what to grow in it. There's a chapter on problems you might encounter and remedies to fix them, along with handy tips scattered throughout.

Some of these tips have been expanded into easy-to-follow activities like how to build your own barbecue or make your own insect repellent. You'll also find a selection of simple and delicious recipes so you can cook just like Nonna, and a glossary to help decode common gardening terms.

In Italy the most important things are family and food. Growing your own food is about providing for yourself and your family. It is a celebration of food, which is a celebration of life. To grow the Italian way is to enjoy life. Nothing else really matters. Basta!