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Grow food that tastes better — and understand why it does.
Flavor, texture, and nutrition begin long before harvest. Food Science for Gardeners explores how soil health, plant chemistry, and growing conditions shape the quality of the food you bring to the table.
When you understand the science behind flavor and nutrient density, you grow with intention.
What You'll Gain
- How nutrients move from soil to plant
- How growing conditions influence flavor compounds
- How soil health affects nutrient density
- How harvest timing shapes taste and texture
- How to evaluate food quality claims objectively
Rather than assumptions, you'll make evidence-based growing decisions.
Practical Insights
- Improve flavor through soil management
- Harvest at optimal maturity
- Support nutrient density naturally
- Compare organic and conventional claims critically
- Grow produce with measurable quality
If you're looking for practical ways to grow more flavorful, nutrient-rich food, this guide connects plant science to everyday gardening practice.
Who This Book Is For
- Gardeners focused on flavor and nutrition
- Growers interested in food chemistry
- Sustainable gardeners improving crop quality
- Market growers emphasizing taste
- Anyone curious about how science shapes harvest quality
Grow food with knowledge. Harvest with intention.
AWARDS
- WINNER | 2025 International Book Awards: Home & Garden
If you eat what you grow, you need this book!
–Jeff Lowenfels, a.k.a. Lordr to of the Roots, and author, Teaming With Microbes Tetralogy and DIY Autoflowering Cannabis
Up-to-date, scientific, and leavened with common sense, what a useful reference this is for anyone interested in growing food!
—Linda Gilkeson, educator and author, Backyard Bounty
This is a much needed book! We need to get back to nature and the food that keeps us healthy.
—Lynn Gillespie, organic farmer, thelivingfarm.org
Praise for Robert Pavlis and the Garden Science series
I've been following Robert's work for a long time and I trust his science-based, no-nonsense approach to helping us all debunk gardening myths while making us all smarter gardeners in the process. Robert is one of my trusted, go-to sources when I want to get to the bottom line.
---Joe Lamp'l, Creator and Host of Emmy Award-winning PBS television series, Growing a Greener World® and Founder, joegardener.com and The joe gardener® Show podcast
It's hard not to appreciate Pavlis' clear and consistently myth-busting approach, guiding the reader with a precise balance of science and analogy. There is loads of good information coupled with actionable insight throughout.
–Jesse Frost, author, The Living Soil Handbook: The No-till Grower's Guide to Ecological Market Gardening
Be sure to give Plant Science for Gardeners an honored place on your bookshelves, next to Mr. Pavlis' groundbreaking Garden Myths series.
—Rebecca Martin, technical editor, Mother Earth News magazine
Robert Pavlis is a Master Gardener with over 45 years' experience in the art and science of horticulture, with a particular focus on soil chemistry and health. He is the owner and developer of Aspen Grove Gardens, a 6-acre botanical garden featuring 3,000 varieties of plants. A sought-after speaker and lecturer, Robert has published many articles in magazines such as Mother Earth News and Ontario Gardening. He maintains a widely read blog – gardenmyths.com – and a well-known YouTube channel, Garden Fundamentals, with tens of thousands of subscribers. Robert is the award-winning author of many published works, including the popular Soil Science for Gardeners series and Building Natural Ponds. He lives in Guelph, Canada.
1. Introduction
Why Do We Eat?
What Is Food Quality?
Do Gardeners Produce High Quality Food?
Gardeners Affect Quality
The History of Food Science
2. Understanding Nutrition
Human Nutrients vs Plant Nutrients
Nutrients vs Calories
Nutrients in Food
Factors Affecting Nutrients
Nutrition Myths
3. Food Safety— Chemicals
Chemical Toxicity
Pesticides
Heavy Metals
Food Safe Plastics
Safe Material for Raised Beds
Microplastics
Growing Food Near Toxic Plants
Allelopathy
GMO Food
Allergies and Sensitivities
4. Food Safety— Biological
The Microbes Among Us
What Is a Foodborne Illness
How Microbes Grow
Detecting a Problem
Buying Food
Food Safety Myths
Final Thoughts
5. Nutrient Density
Measuring Nutrient Densit
Factors Affecting Nutrient Density
What Does Science Know About Growing Nutrient-Dense Food?
Factors Affecting Nutrients
6. The Flavor of Food
Nutrition and Flavor
Why Does Grocery Store Produce Taste Bland?
Sweetness vs Acidity
Factors Affecting Flavor
7. Growing Great Food
Selecting the Right Cultivar
Importance of Days to Maturity
Heirlooms vs Hybrids
Is Organic Food Better?
Fresh Is Best
8. Handling and Storing Food
Washing Hands and Produce
Food Storage
9. Preserving Food
Preserving Techniques
Methods for Preserving Food
10. Cooking Food
Why Do We Cook Food?
How Does Cooking Affect Flavor?
How Does Cooking Affect Nutrition?
Cooking Creates Undesirable Compounds
Food That Needs Cooking
Cooking Myths
Cooking Methods
11. Growing and Serving Quality Food
Beans, Green (Snap Beans)
Cucumbers
Garlic
Lettuce
Onion
Peas
Radish
Raspberries
Strawberries
Tomato
Zucchini
Notes
Index
About the Author
Connect with Robert Pavlis
About New Society Publishers