"You don't just plant the vegetable. You plant the recipe," writes Kevin West (Saving the Season)in his exhaustive volume The Cook's Garden: A Gardener's Guide to Selecting, Growing, and Savoring the Tastiest Vegetables of Each Season. Pragmatic yet poetic, West writes like a savvy neighbor, recommending what and when to plant, estimating the time required to work different-sized gardens from a pot to a plot. Variety choices, considering region and climate, are in the 13 "garden cohort" sections that group vegetables with similar needs and uses--pairing garlic with onions, and tomatoes with peppers. "The Salad Bowl Cohort" suggests 15 different greens, and includes the tip to plant these when the forsythia blooms. West lovingly describes harvesting, preparing, and serving salads, and advises tossing it "with your hands, by far the best tools for the task." The New England-based author's 210 vibrant color photos will surely lure any prospective gardener into picking up a trowel and seed packets, anticipating the pleasure of savoring the more than 125 accessible recipes in this inspiring book. -- Cheryl McKeon, Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, N.Y.