Organic gardening / Sustainable gardening Books

Book SynopsisEven though technology makes us more “connected” than ever, we still hunger for authentic relationships—with the natural world, our creator, and one another. But how do we find them, especially when we’ve lost touch with many of the foundational rhythms that draw us together?The Kindred Life is a rallying cry for real connection in a time when we need to re­capture what’s been lost. In this collection of stories, photos, and recipes from her home on Kindred Farm in Santa Fe, Tennessee, sustainable farmer Christine Bailey shares both the beautiful and gritty moments as she grew from a hopeful urban gardener to co-owner of a farm full of produce, bees, chickens, and flowers that provides meaningful experiences for friends, family, and hundreds of guests each year.Kindred means “tribe” or “family,” and at the center of The Kindred Life is an invita­tion to pursue the Trade Review'The Kindred Life offers a nourishing reminder for us to stay connected through the simple (but often complex) nature of relationship with ourselves, and others. Christine dares us to reach our hands into the soil of authenticity, and beckons us through her personal stories and recipes to gather in community, around the table. After the long period of disconnect we've all faced, this book is timely, refreshing, and one to return to time and time again. The Kindred Life will have you singing, cooking, possibly weeping, and certainly sipping her signature latte whilst sinking deep into Christine's inspiring work and words.' * Leah Boden, Author Of Modern Miss Mason (Tyndale, Jan 2023) *'The Kindred Life is an invitation to experience more; more laughter, more meaning, more risk and more life. Christine has a rare ability to write in a way that makes you feel that you are sitting with an old friend around the table with a cup of coffee or a matcha green tea latte with steamed coconut milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Her own journey along with her gritty and beautiful experiences on the farm will leave readers with the gentle and inspiring nudge to dig in and reach out for more. Whether you are a gardener, a cook, or someone just trying to figure out how to squeeze more out of your life, The Kindred Life will unlock the potential that's inside of each one of us and give you the courage to move towards your dreams.' * Chris & Julie Bennett, Hosts of Finding Family Podcast *'Christine Marie Bailey is brave, and the kindred stories she shares are beautiful. She is like a kind companion, holding your hand and gently inviting you into a life of courageous community and connection--a life of depth, simplicity, and wonder. This book will awaken the dream in your heart to center your life around reclaiming the earth, time, your deepest desires, and all that really matters.' * Rachel Marie Kang, author of Let There Be Art *'In The Kindred Life, mother, farmer, and author Christine Bailey shares poignant stories from her life that inspire me to build community and love my home. Her tales of meeting her husband, traveling to India, and starting their farm drew me in and sparked a desire in me to evaluate aspects of my own life and further align them with my values of simplicity, generosity, and hospitality. Readers will love the stories and find themselves drawn towards a more purposeful life as they turn the pages of Christine's beautiful book.' * Jennifer Pepito, Author, and Founder of The Peaceful Press *'The Kindred Life is an authentic and inspirational read. In a world that too often values productivity and efficiency over peace and connection, this book will encourage you to live a life that prioritizes courage, nourishment, belonging, listening and hospitality. These stories, recipes and invitations will stir your spirit and compel you to a more emotionally healthy way of life, where the harvest is rich relationship and days full of meaning.' * Amy Alexander, Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Refuge Center for Counseling *'Christine Bailey is a ray of sunshine, a wise sage, and an heirloom friend to all who meet her. She is the full embodiment of peace and joy, love and kinship, fun and grit, hospitality and grace, simplicity and kindness-- and she has put all of her heart into these pages to share these essential foundations of a Kindred Life with us. Listen well to the life she lives. We would all be the better for it.' * Jeremy Cowart, Photographer and Artist *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"In Fresh from the Garden, John Whitman folds together the joy of gardening and a love of cooking with wit and wisdom. Addressing the challenges and rewards of our cold climate, he shares his vast experience, deep knowledge, and passion for nature’s bounty. This is a monumental work—inspiring, instructive, timeless."—Beth Dooley, author of In Winter’s Kitchen: Growing Roots and Breaking Bread in the Northern Heartland"The extensive individual plant profiles...are in-depth and extremely helpful."—Library Journal"An excellent resource for home gardeners at any level, especially beginners, offering a thorough introduction to the basics of organic gardening."—Booklist"This book is an invaluable resource not just for gardeners who live in the North, but for any gardener who wants to extend both ends of the growing season."—Country Gardens"A marvelous book. While Fresh From the Garden is invaluable for gardeners in cold areas, the basic information is relevant anywhere."—Rhobin’s Garden"Whitman’s almost encyclopedic seed-to-table approach in “Fresh from the Garden” covers every aspect of the growing enterprise."—Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener"Whitman is full of such practical advice, offered in straightforward prose. This handy book is much like having a master gardener at your elbow, whispering words of wisdom."—Midwest Home"Will provide you with a single, encyclopedic source of detailed, time-tested, organic gardening advice that will help you raise your best produce yet."—The American Gardener"After decades of gardening, Whitman is still discovering new horticultural frontiers."—Columbus Dispatch "It really is quite an achievement, with a refreshing candor that you don’t often find in reference books."—Cold Climate Gardening"It’s the perfect gift for the fanatical vegetable grower in your life."—Portland Press HeraldTable of ContentsContentsAcknowledgments IntroductionPart I. The Basics of Growing Vegetables, Berries, and Herbs1. Where to Plant Tips on Choosing a Garden Site Types of Gardens Soil2. Planting Seed in the Garden Buying Seed Planting Seed Spacing When to Plant Mail Order Sources3. Starting Vegetables From Seed Indoors (Transplanting) About Seed Starting Indoors Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Seeds Indoors Buying Potted Plants4. Caring for Vegetables, Berries, and Herbs Watering Mulch Fertilizing Support Weeding Thinning Pruning Winter Protection Extending the Growing Season5. Propagation6. Solving Growing Problems Basic Tips That Help Reduce the Use of Pesticides Using Organic Chemicals Insects Disease Crop Rotation Solarization Marauders Physiological Problems7. Harvesting and Culinary Uses Harvesting Yield Storing Culinary Uses Nutrition8. Tools, Materials, and Gardening AidsPart II. Vegetables, Berries, and HerbsIndividual ListingsAmaranth (see Greens) Artichoke, globe (see Unique Plants) Artichoke, Jerusalem (see Sunchoke under Unique Plants) Arugula (see Greens) Asparagus Asparagus bean (see Yardlong bean under Unique Plants) Asparagus pea (see Unique Plants) Aubergine (see Eggplant) Aztec Red Spinach (see Lamb’s Quarters under Greens) Basil Batavian endive (see Endive under Greens) Bean Beet (beetroot) Belgian endive (see Unique Plants) Bitter melon (see Gourds under Unique Plants) Blackberry (see Raspberry) Black-eyed pea (see Cowpea under Unique Plants) Black salsify (see Salsify under Unique Plants) Blueberry Bok Choi (see Chinese cabbage) Borage (see Herbs) Borecole (see Kale) Boysenberry (see Raspberry) Broad bean Broccoflower (see Cauliflower) Broccoli Broccoli raab or rabe (see Greens) Broccolini (see Chinese broccoli under Greens) Brokali (see Chinese broccoli under Greens) Brussels sprouts Burdock (see Unique Plants) Bush bean (see Bean) Cabbage Cantaloupe (see Muskmelon) Cape gooseberry (see Ground cherry under Unique Plants) Capers (see Nasturtium for substitute) Caraway (see Herbs) Cardoon (see Unique Plants) Carrot Catgrass (see Greens) Cat mint (see Catnip under Herbs) Catnip (see Herbs) Cauliflower Celeriac (see Celery) Celery Celery, bulb (see Celery) Celery, stem (see Celery) Celery cabbage (see Chinese cabbage) Celery root (see Celery) Celtuce (see Lettuce) Ceylon spinach (see Malabar spinach under Greens) Chamomile (see Herbs) Chard (see Swiss Chard) Chervil (see Herbs) Chickpea (see Unique Plants) Chicory, Belgian endive (see Belgian endive under Unique Plants) Chicory, Italian dandelion (see Italian dandelion under Greens) Chicory, Radicchio (see Radicchio under Unique Plants) Chicory, Witloof (see Belgian endive under Unique Plants) Chinese broccoli (see Greens) Chinese cabbage (see Greens) Chinese flowering cabbage (see Chinese cabbage under Greens) Chinese kale (see Chinese broccoli under Greens) Chinese mustard (see Greens) Chinese spinach (see Amaranth under Greens) Chives (see Herbs) Choi (choy) sum (see Chinese cabbage under Greens) Chrysanthemum (see Greens) Chop

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Book SynopsisIf you want a sustainable garden and a better relationship with nature, A Greener Life is the guide you need.Packed with inspirational images and practical tips, the book covers garden planning, organic composting and vegetable growing, as well as sustainable planting, rewilding and wildlife-attracting environments. Learn traditional gardening techniques like propagating and growing from cuttings to make your garden self-sustaining, and discover plants that attract hover flies, bees and butterflies. With Jack Wallington''s warmth and expertise on every page, this is an ideal book for new gardeners seeking greener practices.Trade ReviewWallington's passion for sustainability is woven throughout A GREENER LIFE...... Practical know-how is explained in an approachable way, which makes it a good introduction for those new to gardening. For more experienced gardeners, there's inspiration for making a beautiful biodiverse outdoor space. * Louise Curley, Gardens Illustrated *Conversational, interesting, and personal ... it reaffirms the link between what we love to do and why we should be doing it with nature, the planet and our health in mind. * RHS The Garden magazine *This is a clearly presented work, with accessible topic headings and plenty of good advice sprinkled with engaging personal anecdotes. The message at the book's heart is to adopt a greener way of being and to see oneself as part of nature, not removed from it. On this point it is exceptional, distinguishing itself from many of the green gardening books written in recent years. * THE ENGLISH GARDEN *

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Book SynopsisA guide to creating a modern outdoor space that provides us with the materials we need to eat, be creative, learn and get the most out of our gardenWe no longer just want to garden, we want to engage with the land; the plants in it, the animals, insects and even the fungi. The Modern Gardener isn’t just about creating a space that simply looks visually stunning, but about responding to the need to modernize; to live in a way that works in harmony with the world around us and engages with our outdoor space. The plants that we choose to grow should encourage wildlife, reduce our carbon footprint and be useful in all areas of our lives. Filled with projects, as well as the whys and hows of growing and choosing plants, it includes a recipe section with activities that can be tried at home for all kinds of fun – from delicious concoctions to essential products – all made from plants. 'Frances Tophill is no

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Book SynopsisThe lives of bees are interwoven with our own, but how much do you know about them?Which scents do bees prefer? How do bees transport pollen? How far can bees fly? Do specific colours attract bees? Do bees prefer native flowers? Bees are a delight to see in the garden on warm summer days, buzzing as they flit from flower to flower. They are also vital for the future of the planet and without their dedicated pollinating skills, many crops would eventually fail. Then there is honey a near-miraculous elixir that in earlier generations was an integral part of life as a sweetener and food preserver. It can be fermented with water and yeast to create mead, a drink that has been enjoyed for thousands of years. The Bee-Kind Garden reveals the many facets of the lives of bees, including their hives, flight patterns and defence. It is filled with helpful information on important topics such as which flowers are best for attracting bees to your garden, beekeeping equipment and guidTrade ReviewA charming little book for anyone who wants a gentle introduction to the world of honeybees, with a surprising amount of useful information about gardening for bees. * Ken Thompson, author of No Nettles Required *It is a true feast for the eye and a beautiful stocking filler for anyone interested about bees, their remarkable story and the relationship humans have long had with them * Postive News *The Bee-Kind Garden is a sweet, illustrated book. The information it contains is in nugget-sized chunks and it does not go too in-depth for the bee novice. It certainly illustrates that there is a lot more to bee keeping then just getting their honey! * Wildlife Trust *This book is a godsend to anyone who is stumped about what to buy a beekeeper for a birthday or Christmas present. * The Honey Press *Table of ContentsIntroduction Getting to know bees Attracting bees Where do bees live? Bee-keeping equipment Talking to bees Honey, mead and wax Proverbs, limericks and verse Index

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive guide to growing, harvesting and processing nuts, written by forest gardening expert Martin Crawford.Nut trees are perennials, requiring little maintenance or soil cultivation, so it is no surprise that nuts are such a popular forest garden crop. A crucial source of protein and a delicious snack, nuts also have a number of surprising health benefits. They lower blood pressure, are full of antioxidants, and decrease the risk of heart and neurodegenerative diseases. Filled with gorgeous illustrations of trees and nuts, How to Grow Your Own Nuts contains old favourites like hazelnuts and walnuts alongside less common varieties such as hickories and butternuts and the exotically named chinkapin. It considers how nuts can be planted in a variety of ways: singly in a small area, in an orchard or nuttery, as silvopasture around grazing animals, in alley cropping between cereal crops or intercropping between fruit bushes. This beautiful guide also features a handTrade ReviewAll who have room for a tree should grow nuts – serious nutrition with huge gastronomic potential. In yet another beautiful book, one of our most accomplished forest gardeners shows how. * Colin Tudge, biologist, science writer, broadcaster and founder of The Campaign for Real Farming *How to Grow Your Own Nuts is the best guide I've seen to home and small-farm nut growing for the temperate climates, featuring species selection, cultivating, harvest, and processing. It includes many lesser-known species alongside standards like walnut, chestnut, and hazel. This is an essential guide to production of these perennial staple crops. * Eric Toensmeier, permaculturist, author and Yale University lecturer *Martin Crawford is a one-man wonder! In this grand and beautiful book on nut culture he has assembled decades of practical insight to help gardeners and orchardists grow ‘bread from trees.’ From planting to harvesting, selection to storage, and pruning to pest control, you’ll find the answers here. Complete with a thorough and lovingly illustrated guide to 19 species of nuts for the temperate world, this book sets a new standard for a vital but little-known field. If we must transform our agriculture to build soil and store carbon, then nut trees belong in all our futures. * Peter Bane, author of The Permaculture Handbook *A beautifully presented, clear, comprehensive bible from the man who knows more than anyone about growing nuts. Full of inspiration and information. It’s a great book. * Mark Diacono, gardener, food writer and broadcaster *Table of ContentsIntroduction Part One Cultivating and processing nuts Growing nut trees Maintenance and propagation of nut trees Harvesting and processing nuts Part TWO Nut trees A–Z Almond (Prunus dulcis) Black walnut (Juglans nigra) Bladdernuts (Staphylea spp.) Buartnut (Juglans x bixbyi) Butternut (Juglans cinerea) Chinkapin/Chinquapin (Castanea pumila) Ginkgo/Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba) Golden Chinkapins (Castenopsis spp.) (Chrysolepis spp.) Hazelnut and Filbert (Corylus avellana, C. maxima) Heartnut (Juglans ailantifolia var. cordiformis) Hickories (Carya spp.) Monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana) Oaks (Quercus spp.) Pecan (Carya illinoensis) Pines (Pinus spp.) Sweet Chestnut (Castanea spp.) Trazels (Corlus spp.) Walnut (Juglans regia) Yellowhorn Glossary Appendix 1: Nutritional content of nuts Appendix 2: Common and Latin names Resources Photo credits Index

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Book SynopsisA colour illustrated introduction to everything a beginner needs to know about biodynamics. A perfect present.Trade Review'This book is a marvellous find! I've been curious about biodynamics for years, but have felt overwhelmed by all the theory and thus have lacked the courage to pursue it. Ms. Wright's easy to understand explanations and step by step instructions have given me the kick in the pants I've needed to finally jump in and give biodynamic gardening a try!'-- Amazon.co.uk customer review'Such a beautifully produced book, it is a visual delight and the text amply matched that standard. Biodynamics is a step further than organics and is the very antithesis of intensive chemical agriculture. Hilary Wright explains how pesticides have denuded our soil, seeds and plants and how we can all apply the tenets of biodynamics in our back gardens and reap the flavour, nutrition and sense of fulfillment for ourselves. Fascinating stuff that has me totally enthused!'-- Amazon.co.uk customer review'Biodynamic gardening brings the relationship we have with the earth full circle. Even if you are a novice gardener this book will show you how to take the first steps in making your own garden biodynamic, for abundant, nutrient-packed fruit and vegetables with a taste so often missing in shop produce. An excellent, practical guide.'-- Lifescape magazine'This book is as much a remedy for a world as for a garden. Hilary Wright's animated defence, a re-evaluation of human-world relations extending through elements, plants and animals, is a holistic, immersed view of nature ... Every other page carries images generously, prints, paintings, photographs and drawings all used for illustration, all seductively rich in colour, form and textures ... The book has a openness and attractiveness which will persuade many enquirers to try new organic practices. It is a very welcome defence of holistic, caring practice: it brings together primary sustenance, aesthetic life, ethical concern and a kind of close observation in which we find delight.'-- Allan Harkness, Border Life'This is a very good and accessible introduction to biodynamic gardening ... the book is sensitively written as both an inner and outer journey where the reader is invited to quieten the mind and develop inner sense organs of perception for the practical gardening work ... this is definitely a book to recommend to biodynamic gardeners.'--Richard Swann, Star and Furrow (Journal of the Biodynamic Agricultural Association)'A beautifully illustrated book outlining the principles and practice of biodynamic gardening ... There is much practical advice about composting, pest control, cooking and preparation of dynamised fertilisers involving the meditative activity of stirring for an hour.'--Science and Medical Network Review, Spring 2009'This book includes history, theory and practical advice to guide you through creating and maintaining a biodynamic garden.'--Rhubard (Local Action on Food), Summer 2009

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Book SynopsisAn invaluable overview of Koepf's insights into key aspects of biodynamics.Trade Review'Herbert Koepf was a pioneer of biodynamics in Germany and elsewhere. This is a short handbook summarising his findings with a wealth of practical advice ... Books like this remind us of the parallels between plant and human health, and also all the rhythms of life as a process in time regulated by both the earthly and cosmic environments.'-- Scientific & Medical Network Review

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Book SynopsisLive and entertain Cotswolds style, with English lifestyle visionary and famed organic farm founder Carole Bamford in Daylesford Living: Inspired by Nature. Carole Bamford opened the Daylesford Farmshop 20 years ago on her Cotswolds estate. It has become arguably the best organic country shop of its kind, with a garden center, exquisite housewares, beauty and fashion products, and more, now sold at the original shop and around the world. The Daylesford estate has grown with the farm and now boasts pubs, vacation cottages, and a health club and spa, while continuing to pioneer large-scale sustainable agriculture. Here, Bamford opens the doors to never-before-seen parts of the estate, the restored cottages and their stylish interiors, and the gardens, and provides readers with decorating and entertaining ideas, themed by seasonal flowers and featuring accessible tabletop ideas. This rare view into Bamford’s way of life shows why she has become a key tastemaker of her generation. With insightful text on creating a wholesome lifestyle and specially commissioned photography throughout, this is a quintessential guide to stylish English country living.

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Book SynopsisShows us how to garden like our ancestors gardened . . . with just four basic hand tools, and with little or no electricity or irrigation. Carol Deppe, author of The Resilient Gardener In hard times, the family can be greatly helped by growing a highly productive food garden, requiring little cash outlay or watering. This book shows that any family with access to 3-5,000 sq. ft. of garden land can halve their food costs using a growing system requiring just the odd bucketful of household wastewater, perhaps two hundred dollars' worth of hand tools.Gardening When It Counts helps readers rediscover traditional low-input gardening methods to produce healthy food. Currently popular intensive vegetable gardening methods are largely inappropriate to the new circumstances we find ourselves in. Crowded raised beds require high inputs of water, fertility and organic matter, and demand large amounts of human time and effort. Prior to the 1970s,Table of ContentsIntroduction; Basics; Tools and Tasks; Garden Centres; Seeds; Watering ... and Not; Compost; Insects and Diseases; What to Grow ... and How to; Resources; Index.

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Book SynopsisPermanent agriculture - abundance by design The wealth of practical knowledge in The Permaculture Handbook is a welcome addition to North America''s canon of books on permaculture design, and will serve other regions as well. Peter Bane''s broad and well-tested experience in ecological living will guide homeowners, gardeners, and small farmers toward designing and living in lushly productive and harmonious landscapes. ? Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia''s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale PermacultureThe Permaculture Handbook is a step-by-step, beautifully illustrated guide to creating resilient and prosperous households and neighborhoods, complemented by extensive case studies of three successful farmsteads and market gardens. This comprehensive manual casts garden farming as both an economic opportunity and a strategy for living well with less money. It shows how, by mimicking the intelligence of nature and applying appropriate technologies such as solar and environmental design, permaculture can: Create an abundance of fresh, nourishing local produce Reduce dependence on expensive, polluting fossil fuels Drought-proof our cities and countryside Convert waste into wealth Permaculture is about working with the earth and with each other to repair the damage of industrial overreach and to enrich the living world that sustains us. The Permaculture Handbook is the definitive, practical North American guide to this revolutionary practice, and is a must-read for anyone concerned about creating food security, resilience and a legacy of abundance rather than depletion.Trade ReviewReview - Transition Voice Vicki Lipski, July 26th Peter Bane's handbook, while not quite encyclopedic, is nothing if not authoritative. I can honestly say, without fear of exaggeration, that I hold my head a little higher as I stride about my miniscule fiefdom, now that I've read The Permaculture Handbook: Garden Farming for Town and Country. The stones Bane leaves unturned are few and far between. Once you've digested the author's ruminations on mapping, patterns, and garden elements, perennials, water, soil, plants, crops, seeds, and animal husbandry, not to mention his lists of plants and the jobs to which they are best suited, there's little chance you'll walk away dissatisfied. Bane's treatment of these various aspects of garden farming (his preferred term) is methodical and complete. It was a relief and a delight to find that he allows both his sense of humor and political sensibilities to creep in from time to time. He never forgets, however, that his purpose in writing is to distill over thirty years' experience in the science and the art of permaculture. There is much to be learned. The complete novice may, in fact, find the author's thoroughness a bit blinding. In this case, a piecemeal approach could well be the best one. Bane himself advises the reader to start small, and good advice it is. As you proceed to branch out beyond the basics, the book's tidbits of information and advice will take on more and more relevance. Pass the salt For instance, did you know that if your fruit isn't sweet, or your vegetables are the object of an insect infestation, it's probably because your soil suffers from a mineral deficiency? Your soil is in need of amending (most everybody's is, to one degree or another). It has been my contention, almost from the day we moved to the Cincinnati area, that the foods here are extremely bland. Now I understand why! The soil here is just awful -- a tan, clumpy clay that is utterly devoid of worms and organic matter, and therefore completely unable to hold onto water. If it's possible to be deficient in everything, then this soil is. For folks in these parts, permaculture could literally spice up their lives. Good soil is the beginning of good eating. Here's some more great advice that, by itself, is worth the purchase price of the book On page 88, we learn to, ... keep all soil growing some crop at all times ...Seed or transplant the next crop as soon as or, better, before the maturing one is harvested. This book is packed with wisdom gleaned from decades of working the soil. Assuming I get my sonic mole repeller in time (they're tunneling me out of house and home), the winter squash will go in and around my thriving tomato plants. If I can lay my hands on some more cabbage seeds, they'll go in at the same time (the first planting was a washout). With a cluck, cluck here... The animal husbandry section offers a cornucopia of down-to-earth knowledge and advice. I've long harbored the desire to raise chickens, but here -- as elsewhere -- we belong to a homeowners' association, so I've been frustrated yet again. For those among you lucky enough to be able to own livestock, take a close look at chapter 14, "Animals for the Garden Farm." Interestingly, there are three animals which Bane believes the garden farmer should steer clear of: horses (not worth the upkeep), sheep (prone to parasites, need lots of land), and donkeys (need land). He also takes on the ethical conundrum of raising animals for meat, as well as the importance of their breeding. There is a lovely, lengthy section on beekeeping. Yet I believe this section includes a rare, important oversight; that is the failure to discuss Colony Collapse Disorder. This is just too important a problem to ignore. I hope it will be covered in the inevitable second edition. The Permaculture Handbook is liberally adorned with black and white drawings and photographs. As can sometimes be the case with garden and farming pictures, the subjects of photos are occasionally difficult to determine. This problem is further exacerbated by the fact that permaculturists (I include myself) do not necessarily pride themselves on a tidy garden farm. Everything tends to be a "work in progress," and it shows. Such concerns notwithstanding, the color photos are particularly well done; the numbered captions are easily understood. The photos appear to have been carefully selected, and truly do add a needed dimension that bolsters the book's authoritativeness. If they can, you can! Finally, Bane's case studies include an up-to-the minute analysis of his own Renaissance Farm, in Bloomington, Indiana (also home to the magazine The Permaulture Activist). His year-by-year history of the progress he and partner Keith Johnson have made in turning their .7 acre into a working farm makes for genuinely interesting reading. As Bane describes the endlessly cyclical nature of what they do: Self-reliance and food storage are both increasing. Soils are improving. The growing season is now year-round. Would that we could all say the same. Working examples Other operations are described, as well: Jerome's Organics, of Basalt, Colorado; Old 99 Farm, in Dundas, Ontario; and Radical Roots Farm, of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Jerome's is far and away the oldest of the four farms described, established in 1982. It's also different in that its primary mission is educational, both insofar as garden design is concerned, and with regard to producing successful yields. Jerome Osentowski welcomes students and visitors to his demonstration garden and educational programs year-round. The other two garden farms were much more recently established. In the case of Old 99 Farm, operator Ian Graham sells winter vegetables, eggs, dairy and cow-shares. Radical Roots operators Dave O'Neill and wife Lee Sturgis offer annual vegetables, nursery plants, and eggs. Dave teaches permaculture design, and consults. Lee and Dave hire paid interns, affording a valuable opportunity to up-and-coming garden farmers. I'll leave you with a parting thought of my own -- this book deserves to be a part of your gardening library -- and one of Peter Bane's: The essential work of Permaculture activism is to understand and see abundance in the world around us, often before others do, and then to help others to see it also, to bring it into being.Table of Contents Acknowledgments Foreword by David Holmgren Part I: Attitudes 1. Garden Farming 2. Who Am I to Farm? 3. Gardening the Planet 4. Permaculture Principles 5. Learning the Language of Design 6. A Garden Farming Pattern Language Part II: Elements Case Study A: Renaissance Farm, Bloomington, Indiana, USA 7. Land — Scales and Strategies 8. Labor — Can You Lend a Helping Hand? 9. Running on Sunshine 10. Water from Another Time Case Study B: Jerome's Organics, Basalt, Colorado, USA 11. Soil – the Real Dirt 12. Plants, Crops and Seeds 13. Setting Plant Priorities Case Study C: Old 99 Farm, Dundas, Ontario, Canada 14. Animals for the Garden Farm 15. Living with Wildlife 16. Trees and Shrubs, Orchards, Woodlands and Forest Gardens 17. Productive Trees and Where to Grow Them 18. Structures, Energy and Technology Part III: Outcomes Case Study D: Radical Roots Farm, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA 19. Diet and Food 20. Culture and Community 21. Markets and Outreach 22. Making the Change Appendix 1: Metric Conversion Table Appendix 2: Bee Forage Species Appendix 3: Nitrogen-Fixing Species and Biomass Producers Endnotes Index About the Author

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Book Synopsis Adventures on the road to real-world self-sufficiency Many of us want to increase our self-sufficiency, but few have access to the ideal 5 sunny, gently-sloping acres of rich, loamy, well-drained soil. Jenni Blackmore presents a highly entertaining, personal account of how permaculture can be practiced in adverse conditions, allowing anyone to learn to live more sustainably in a less-than-perfect world. With a rallying cry of If we can do it, you can too, she distills the wisdom of 20 years of trial and error into a valuable teaching tool. The perfect antidote to dense, high-level technical manuals, Permaculture for the Rest of Us presents the fundamental principles of this sometimes confusing concept in a humorous, reader-friendly way. Each chapter focuses on a specific method or technique, interspersing straightforward explanations with the author''s own experiences. Learn how to successfully retrofit even the smallest homestead using sTrade ReviewPublishers Weekly, October 2015 (Blackmore's) book is both a manual and a memoir, using her experiences as a springboard to explain permaculture how-tos and how-not-tos. Blackmore's take on permaculture, the concepts of which were developed in Australia, is decidedly Northern. Anyone envying typical descriptions of lush, fertile land and perfect climates will be heartened by Blackmore's story. She discusses vegetable timetables, ways to create different growing conditions, keeping weeds at bay, dirt building, heat and cold tolerance of plants, greenhouses, "lasagna gardening," and more. She also imparts her knowledge on raising chickens, turkeys, ducks, and rabbits. Her advice is perfect for the beginning and aspiring permaculturist: non-threatening, clear, and told from a charming personal perspective. Permaculture is personal journey to a more sustainable, earth regenerating lifestyle. In Permaculture for the Rest of Us, Jenni Blackmore skillfully weaves a thorough explanation of permaculture principles and practices into her own story of returning to the land. With wit and charm she draws on her experiences homesteading in a challenging climate. She deftly illustrates how she and her family have truly created abundance while embracing the natural world around them. The result is a wealth of information, advice and inspiration. ---Darrell Frey, Author of Bioshelter Market Garden: A Permaculture Farm Self-reliance is a choice today, and a difficult one, but it won't be a choice in the future. Jenni Blackmore writes with heart about her family's crawl toward living in harmony with nature. Sharing her hard-won lessons in permaculture with verve and intimate warmth, the author reveals the human side of building a new way of life: food, seeds, animals, weather and setbacks. Genuine, pithy, and filled with practical tips to encourage and guide the reader, the book also expands our knowledge of coastal ecosystems. ---Peter Bane, author, The Permaculture Handbook: Garden Farming for Town and Country and publisher, Permaculture Activist magazine A welcome breath of fresh air, Jenni Blackmore's Permaculture for the Rest of Us is exactly what the title suggests: an enthusiastic, user-friendly guide to ecologically sensitive homesteading, using permaculture principles, for those who don't happen to have the money and opportunity to buy five or ten acres of perfect farmland. For those who want to grow their own food without pesticides or the other problematic features of industrial agriculture -- and these days, it's hard to think of a more useful step toward personal sustainability -- this is an excellent guide. -- John Michael Greer, author, Green Wizardry: Conservation, Solar Power, Organic Gardening, and Other Hands-On Skills from the Appropriate Tech Toolkit As Canadians change their approach to the garden, Jenni Blackmore is leading the way. It is not that nature has changed but our attitude towards her is. Blackmore shows us how to embrace the lead that nature provides us with, in an approach that is as much storytelling as it is a guide to self-sufficiency. I am not sure if this book is more useful in the magazine rack, next to the almanac where I can pick it up and gather some nuggets of knowledge that will make me a better gardener, or next to my fat, cushioned reading chair where I enjoy a good story. We need a special category for this book. ---Mark Cullen markcullen.com For most, permaculture can seem like a complex philosophy too daunting to make part of our everyday reality. In Permaculture for the Rest of Us, Jenni Blackmore masterfully distills the concepts and principles of permaculture in such a way that the reader is convinced to put theory into practice. Both optimistic and realistic, Permaculture for the Rest of Us is a rare combination that provides both the how and why of creating a simpler life while fostering a deeper connection with nature, with the Earth, and with each other. ---Av Singh, Just Us! Centre for Small FarmsTable of Contents Introduction 1. Slug Wars or How it All Began 2. The Nitty Gritty on Building Dirt 3. To Dig or Not to Dig 4. Green Thumbing It 101 5. Easy Starter Crops 6. What? And When? 7. Gotta Getta Greenhouse 8. Warm Wussies 9. Quack, Cluck and Gobble 10. Ethics and Principles 11. Harvest Time: The Reason for it All! Glossary Suggested Reading Index About the Author

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Book SynopsisPractical No-Till Farming is the ultimate guide to getting started with organic no-till growing methods. Coverage includes pros and cons of different no-till methods, customizing no-till for your farm, detailed how-to for each method, relative costs, handling pernicious weeds, and boosting soil health and crop yield.Trade Review"Andrew Mefferd's new book is a no-nonsense breakdown of no-till market gardening that gets straight to the point and stays there. Mefferd's a gifted writer who smoothly communicates not only the principles that guide no-till gardening but the technical details in a way that makes you keep reading. Practical No-Till Farming is arguably the most devourable technical manual I've come across. A great read and an even greater asset to organic flower and vegetable growers everywhere." — Jesse Frost, author, The Living Soil Handbook "This is a book I wish I had when I was starting out. Even now it helps clarify what the big deal is about no-till, how it's being defined, and how folks are actually making it work." — Josh Volk, author, Build Your Own Farm Tools and Compact Farms "If you want to start farming but don't think you have enough money for land and machinery, this could be the book for you. If you're thinking about transitioning from conventional tillage to no-till farming, this could be the book for you as well. If you're looking for a practical, down-to-earth book that explains both the whys and hows of no-till market gardening, this definitely is the book for you." — John Ikerd, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics, University of Missouri-ColumbiaTable of ContentsPart 1: The Why of No-Till INTRODUCTION Who This Book Is For Tilling Was Once the Only Answer Enthusiasm and Skepticism for No-Till Becoming a No-Till Farmer Defining No-Till: What Counts as Tillage Anyway? New Adaptation for Old Methods The Promise of No-Till THE POWER OF THE SOIL Putting a Face on the Soil Soil: Where the Microbe Magic Happens Taking Care of Our Livestock Soil Life Drives the Success of No-Till Systems Soil Testing Healthy Soil Can Lead to Healthier Farmers FARM SIZE Farming as a Career NO-TILL: A GATEWAY METHOD Evolution of Your Farm Small Can Be Beautiful NO-TILL VS. TILLAGE Tillage: The Agricultural Reset Button Tillage: An Ancient Practice We Might Want to Avoid THE DISADVANTAGES OF TILLING Breakdown in the Nutrient Cycle Weeds Hard Work and Time-Consuming Physical, Chemical, and Biological Disadvantages THE ADVANTAGES OF NO-TILL Advantages for the Environment Fungus: The Perennial Roots of the Soil Soil and Water Can Do Their Jobs Increase in Organic Matter Advantages for Growers THE DISADVANTAGES OF NO-TILL Fields Are Slower to Warm in Spring Systems Can Take Some Time to Become Established Some Methods Are Hard to Scale Up Some Pests Can Flourish in High Residue Perennial Weeds Part 2: The How of No-Till GETTING STARTED: PRINCIPLES, TECHNIQUES, AND TOOLS Start with a Soil Test Clearing the Deck: Getting the Soil Ready Establishing New Fields Sod Bustin', No-Till Style Reduce the Weed Seed Bank First TARPING Occultation Solarization Tarp Timing Decomposition Rates IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MULCHES Non-Decomposing Mulches Applied Organic Mulches MULCH GROWN IN PLACE The Roller/Crimper Method Roller/Crimper Cons Winter-Killed Cover Mulch Crops Planting through a Cover Crop Mulch Which Crops Work Best in the Roller/Crimper System? GETTING STARTED AND CROPPING STRATEGIES Composting in Place Compost as Mulch Ways to Improve Land and Exhaust the Weed Seed Bank CROPS TO FOCUS ON GOING FROM CROP TO CROP Dealing with Residue Planting Flowers in No-Till CASE STUDY: GROWING HEMP APPENDIX NOTES BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX ABOUT THE AUTHOR ABOUT THE PUBLISHER

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Book SynopsisThe Winter Market Gardener is a guide to year-round vegetable production. Based on years of experimentation in techniques, tools, and cultivars, it presents planting, care, and harvesting details for dozens of winter crops that earn money and provide the highest quality, most delicious produce for local markets.Trade Review"The essential guide for winter market gardening for the new generation of growers is here!!! " –Zach Loeks, edible ecosystem designer, author, The Two-wheel Tractor Handbook and The Permaculture Market Garden "The core challenge of growers in the north is learning how to feed our communities with fresh, local, real food in the winter. With great research and detailed charts, this book shows exactly how to do just that. I think every grower should buy it, read it, and incorporate its ideas. An indispensable book." –Ben Hartman, author, The Lean Micro Farm "In this book, you will find all manner of useful planning considerations and practical tips and evaluations of structures, tools, diseases and pests, crop notes, and optimal storage conditions to help you extend your seasons and production for as long as possible through the winter months … A lovely extension to Jean-Martin’s previous handbook, and a great resource for those looking to up their winter growing practices." –Richard Perkins, author, Regenerative Agriculture "…this book was written by two people who have devoted their lives to helping feed communities better. Winter is no longer off-limits, it’s open to all of us." –Michael Kilpatrick, educator, Growing Farmers, farmer, The Farm on Central "Drawing on the Parisienne market garden tradition and Eliot Coleman’s seminal works, The Winter Market Gardener presents years of new research, experimentation, and practice. It covers every aspect of growing vegetables for market year round in a cold climate to build community resilience and reduce imports. It's comprehensive, well laid out, full of information, and engaging." –Maddy Harland, editor, co-founder, Permaculture Magazine "Jean-Martin’s passion for organic farming is contagious. He is always innovating, experimenting, and sharing his findings with others and The Winter Market Gardener is no exception. This book is practical, thorough, well-researched, and an invaluable resource for cold-climate growers." –Erin Benzakein, FloretTable of ContentsForeword Introduction: Yes, We Can Grow Vegetables Year-Round. . . and Why We Should The Knowledge and Skills of Northern Growers Using Simple Shelters to Protect Crops Winter Crop Planning Vegetables in Winter Tools for Winter Growing Tending to Winter Crops Fall Harvests for Cold Storage Growing and Selling Vegetables Year-Round Conclusion Appendices Glossary Bibliography Index About the Authors About New Society Publishers

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Book SynopsisFull of useful tips and practical garden wisdom, this straightforward guide shows you everything you need to know to grow a more bountiful harvest with less work. Stressing the utility of raised beds and wide rows, gardening expert Dick Raymond shares his time-tested techniques for preparing the soil, starting plants, and controlling weeds. With helpful photographs, clear charts, and profiles of reliable garden vegetables, Joy of Gardening will inspire you to grow your best crop ever.

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Book SynopsisEnjoy a delicious bounty of heirloom vegetables every year. Marc Rogers guides you through the time-honored and cost-effective tradition of collecting seeds from this year's harvest to grow next year's crop. Learn how to select and store seeds from proven varieties of more than 100 common vegetables and flowers. Through saving seeds and growing heirloom plants you'll not only have a thriving garden every summer, you'll be saving money and preserving local flavors at the same time.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewMidwest Book Review- Synopsis: "Understanding Roots: Discover How to Make Your Garden Flourish" uncovers one of the greatest mysteries underground -- the secret lives and magical workings of the roots that move and grow invisibly beneath our feet. Roots, it seems, do more than just keep a plant from falling over: they gather water and nutrients, exude wondrous elixirs to create good soil, make friends with microbes and fungi, communicate with other roots, and adapt themselves to all manner of soils, winds, and climates, nourishing and sustaining our gardens, lawns, and woodlands. "Understanding Roots" contains over 115 enchanting and revealing root drawings that most people have never seen, from prairies, grasslands, and deserts, as well as drawings based on excavations of vegetable, fruit, nut, and ornamental tree roots. Every root system presented in this book was drawn by people literally working in the trenches, sketching the roots where they grew. The text provides a very detailed review of all aspects of transplanting; describes how roots work their magic to improve soil nutrients; investigates the hidden life of soil microbes and their mysterious relationship to roots; explores the question of whether deep roots really gather more unique nutrients than shallow roots; shares the latest research about the mysteries of mycorrhizal (good fungal) association; shows you exactly where to put your fertilizer, compost, water, and mulch to help plants flourish; tells you why gray water increases crop yields more than fresh water; and, most importantly, reveals the science behind all the above (with citations for each scientific paper). Critique: Exceptionally well informed and informative, "Understanding Roots: Discover How to Make Your Garden Flourish" is a compendium of thoroughly accessible, nicely illustrated, practical and directly applicable information that will prove invaluable for amateur and professional gardeners alike, and should be a part of every community and academic library Gardening reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.“I realize now that I’ve been waiting my whole life to read this book. Robert Kourik makes a major contribution to the science of horticulture and to plant lovers everywhere with Understanding Roots. This book gives us an understanding of the whole plant, and that can only make us better gardeners.”--Jeff Cox, former managing editor of Organic Gardening magazine and the author of twenty books on gardening, landscaping, food, and wine"Wow - what a MINDBLOWING book! I love what you have done and you have made me a better gardener! This is some seriously juicy stuff you have here! With Understanding Roots you have some seriously powerful information in your hands right now!"--Ivette Soler, author of The Edible Front Yard, free-lance author and garden designer"Understanding Roots changed how I think about plants. Much more is going on below ground than we ever imagined, as this book—and particularly its magnificent root diagrams—shows. Robert Kourik brings us up to date with current research and shares his decades of experience in this fascinating journey into the dynamic world of the rhizosphere. Gardeners, farmers, and researchers all will profit from this readable, detailed guide to how plants make their living in the soil."--Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture and The Permaculture City"As is typical of Robert Kourik’s books, he distills complex research to give home gardeners both a great read and the knowledge needed to successfully pick out, plant and grow trees and shrubs in their gardens. Kourik, using diagrams of the actual root systems, takes us on a fascinating underground tour. He explains how and why understanding root growth and soil type greatly influences where and how to apply, water, mulch and fertilizer."--Sam Benowitz, Owner, Raintree Nursery“Roots are the controlling part of the plant, and we get the best results when we know more about them! Robert Kourik in Understanding Roots makes this possible—with almost double the information as in his previous book on roots. It has been noted that when we improve root health a tiny amount—just two percent to four percent—it is possible to increase yields two hundred percent to four hundred percent. Understanding Roots contains a wealth of information. It is a rare treasure!”--John Jeavons, author and developer of Sustainable Biologically Intensive Food-Growing, Willits, CA“Fascinating, beautifully illustrated and fun to read!”--Larry Korn, editor of Masanobu Fukuoka’s The One-Straw Revolution and Sowing Seeds in the Desert"A must have book in your library! Robert has always been able to make scientific fact and jargon readable, if not entertaining. Understanding Roots is no exception. Having found many rare drawings of excavated roots he presents many guidelines about how to place compost, mulch, fertilizer and water to make your garden thrive."--Rosalind Creasy, author of Edible Landscaping and 17 other gardening and cooking books“Sometimes in gardening, it’s what you don’t see that counts. So, unless you have x-ray vision, let the very knowledgeable Robert Kourik help you visualize—and improve—the root of the situation.”--Mike McGrath, host of Public Radio’s You Bet Your Garden and garden editor for WTOP in Washington, DC“Over the decades, author/researcher/contradictarian Robert Kourik has turned gardeners and farmers inside out with his scientific yet easily accessible books, including Understanding Roots: Discover How to Make Your Garden Flourish. You will have several ‘Whoa, I didn’t realize that!’ moments. This is an important book that will change the way you look at your plants, your soil, your fertilizers, and, especially, your watering habits.”--Fred Hoffman, producer/host, Get Growing with Farmer Fred radio shows, Sacramento, CA“Kourik does it again as he shares his investigations into what makes plants tick (hint, it’s subterranean).”--Ken Druse, radio host and author and photographer of twenty gardening books

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Trade ReviewPublishers Weekly- Kourik's color photos and Massion's art effectively illustrate a text that fulfills the title's promise. The author's advice is sound and practical although the reader may bridle at his tone at times. (Attempting a chatty informality, for example, he orders one to "find a comfortable chair and leaf through the book.") Otherwise, this is a valuable guide to the holistic approach to gardening, which relies on natural fertilizers and avoids chemicals. The author begins with suggestions for designing plots according to environment, space available, personal preferences. (The pictures prove that areas featuring vegetables, herbs, fruit- and nut-bearing trees and other edibles can be beautiful.) Kourik, who frequently appears on TV and lectures nationally, includes recipes that use the wide variety of foods featured here."Right at the beginning of my permaculture career I learnt more from this book than from any other.”—Patrick Whitefield, author of The Earth Care Manual and The Minimalist Gardener

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Acadia Tucker's books are both beautiful and practical. With the approachable but extensive blueprint that she provides, you can't help but be immediately empowered and inspired to join the carbon gardening movement.”—Annie Martin, Kiss the Ground“Acadia's books are wonderful, timely, and elucidate the simple and the complex beautifully. I especially love the call to action of the climate victory garden. We are at a time in human history where we all must get involved to reclaim our food supply and halt climate chaos, and these guides are an inviting how-to. Brava!”—Ave Lambert, Director of Education, CUESAAn important read for any backyard grower who wants to make a positive impact on the climate in their own patch of dirt.”—Robyn Rosenfeldt, Pip Permaculture Magazine“Tucker has a unique perspective on the climate crisis. Working as a farmer from Washington State to New Hampshire, she has seen radical, unpredicted shifts in climate which decimated sensitive annual crops but spared perennials. She has also seen the difference it makes to those crops when soil contains an abundance of organic material vs traditionally farmed soil which doesn’t. It’s fascinating to read.”—Todd Heft, author“I’m obsessed with this book already, I might sell everything and buy a farm.”—Brittany Yu, Branch On Bowen Bookstore"I love this book. Growing Good Food is great for beginning gardeners who care about the climate."—Lucy Biggers, Now This Media"In this well-informed and educational call to action, Acadia Tucker set out to simplify regenerative gardening so that anyone can do it. She succeeded! With step-by-step instructions and chapters dedicated to your favorite veggies, readers will be inspired to grow food and save the planet, all from the comfort of your backyard."—Jes Walton, Food Campaigns Manager at Green America "I would recommend Acadia’s new book to every gardener to learn how a person can impact the environment through one’s own garden.”—pegplant.com"Acadia Tucker’s new book shows what it takes for beginners to throw themselves into regenerative agriculture."–Modern Farmer"Growing Good Food is about working where we are, on a small scale, to improve the health of the land. Acadia Tucker tells us that what we do matters and if we have access to any piece of ground we can start addressing climate change. My father, Wendell Berry, says that this kind of work is radical now, when public attention is focused on global solutions. This work is what people are for."–Mary Berry"Add this gardening book to your library. If we don’t get together and take care of the soil, our atmosphere is toast."–Tim LaSalle, Cofounder The Regenerative Agriculture Initiative, Chico State

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Book SynopsisAcadia Tucker s long love affair with perennial foods has produced this easy-to-understand guide to growing and harvesting them.Trade Review"This is the best book about growing perennial vegetables I’ve seen."–Simply Smart Gardening“I have every intention of referring back to the sections on individual plants as the season develops. The advice can likely be best internalized as you mull over your plants as you prepare the ground, seed them, and watch them develop. It is a book that should have lots of dirty fingerprints on it by the end of a growing season. There are plenty of gardening advice books, but the focus here on perennials and on carbon capture gardening sets this one apart.”–Ivan Emke, Book on the Coffee Table"Great for new and experienced gardeners alike, Growing Perennial Foods is worth the purchase for the recipes alone. The book provides a short primer on general gardening topics, including composting and organic pest control, along with individual plant profiles for a wide variety of herbs, vegetables, and fruit. But, more than the academic knowledge, you will experience the love and passion Acadia Tucker has for the earth and making it a better place for all to enjoy."–Gardening Products Review"Right from the beginning of the book, you really get the idea that not only does Acadia know what she's talking about, she is passionate about it. This book isn't technical, but also doesn't talk down to readers. Acadia is right there with you, explaining everything, encouraging you, and giving you all the info you need on growing various perennial foods. My favorite part is the section on the challenges you might face. As anyone who has ever grown a plant can tell you, one cannot simply plant and expect to have a successful harvest. I found it very refreshing to have an author write about pests, diseases, and growing problems. I also appreciate that she covered tips on how to overcome them. Acadia approaches gardening much the way we do at the National Gardening Association -- organically, and with an eye toward working with nature rather than against it. We are very impressed and excited to see more of Acadia's work."–Trish Whitinger, COO, National Gardening Association"Beautifully written and illustrated, Growing Perennial Foods will be a well-thumbed addition to your gardening library."–The Northern Light"In North America, we tend to think of perennials as primarily ornamental rather than food-producing. Regenerative farmer Acadia Tucker believes that taking cues from how plants grow in the wild will allow for cultivated gardens that produce bountiful harvests while addressing concerns about global climate change. This guide to creating a regenerative food garden starts with addressing the existing soil and moves through all the steps needed to create a healthy, nurturing bed. Tucker then recommends a variety of perennial herbs, fruits, and vegetables, including information for how to plant, grow, and harvest each, along with potential challenges specific to each plant. One recipe is included for each plant, with most of the recipes vegan or vegetarian. While the majority of these plants are able to survive winter in many parts of North America, some are tender and will need to be moved inside during cold months. A FAQ section and glossary are appended."—Anne Heidemann, Booklist, American Library Association"Right from the beginning of the book, you really get the idea that not only does Acadia know what she's talking about, she is passionate about it. This book isn't technical, but also doesn't talk down to readers. Acadia is right there with you, explaining everything, encouraging you, and giving you all the info you need on growing various perennial foods. My favorite part is the section on the challenges you might face. As anyone who has ever grown a plant can tell you, one cannot simply plant and expect to have a successful harvest. I found it very refreshing to have an author write about pests, diseases, and growing problems. I also appreciated that she covered tips on how to overcome them. Acadia approaches gardening much the way we do at the National Gardening Association – organically, and with an eye toward working with nature rather than against it. We are very impressed and excited to see more of Acadia's work."–Trish Whitinger, COO, National Gardening Association"Acadia Tucker’s Growing Perennial Foods is a must-have resource for home gardeners looking to take their conservation efforts to the next level. With hard-earned knowledge and conversational clarity, Tucker demystifies the concepts of regenerative agriculture, translates them to the garden level, and guides the reader both philosophically and practically. Her focus on perennial plants provides an exciting and useful method of enacting the principles of regenerative agriculture, one that any sustainable gardener will appreciate."–Stephanie Anderson, author of One Size Fits None: A Farm Girl’s Search for the Promise of Regenerative Agriculture"Growing Perennial Foods is a down-in-the-dirt guide to growing food in a way that's good for the planet. It's also the account of one woman's transformation into climate activist and regenerative farmer. Acadia Tucker is on a mission to get more of us thinking about the power of regenerative agriculture. By the end of the book, you'll feel inspired enough to start your own Climate Victory Garden."–Jes Walton, Green America"Read this book! If we don’t get together and take care of the soil, our atmosphere is toast.”—Tim LaSalle, Cofounder, Regenerative Agriculture Initiative, Chico State"I love this book. An easy-to-read, down-to-earth guide to regenerative gardening, Growing Perennial Foods provides a blueprint, and the inspiration, to start planting your own."–Virginia Aronson, R.D., M.S., Director, Food and Nutrition Resources Foundation"Tucker helps us tap into the deeper meaning of gardening and grow good food at the same time.”—Anne Biklé, co-author of The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health

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Book SynopsisReduce a garden''s impact on both the environment and the wallet Organic Gardening For Dummies shows readers the way to ensure a healthy harvest from an environmentally friendly garden. It covers information on the newest and safest natural fertilizers and pest control methods, composting, cultivation without chemicals, and how to battle plant diseases. It also has information on updated equipment and resources. It helps the reader to plant organically year-round, using herbs, fruits, vegetables, lawn care, trees and shrubs, and flowers. Organic Gardening For Dummies show readers how to: Plan out the perfect organic garden Protect wildlife and help pollinators in a garden Grow a range of organic vegetables, fruits and flowers Manage pests in an eco-friendly way Trade Review'Covering everything the beginner gardener needs to know, from composting to managing pests, but also going deep enough to satisfy more advanced GYO-ers.' (Grow Your Own, March 2012)Table of ContentsIntro Introduction I Understanding the Basics of Organic Gardening 1 Gardening Organically: The Basic Techniques 2 Benefitting You and the World: Great Reasons to Go Organic 3 Understanding and Planning Your Site II Getting Stuck into Soil, Compost and Fertilisers 4 Digging Beneath the Surface: Soils 5 Building Healthy Soil 6 Composing Great Compost: Let the Rotting Begin! 7 Enriching the Earth with Organic Fertilisers III Growing Organically in Your Garden 8 Settling in Plants and Keeping Them Happy 9 Enjoying Home-Grown Feasts 10 Raising Organic Vegetables 11 Growing Herbs for the Home and Garden 12 Picking from the Berry Patch 13 Cultivating Fruits and Nuts for Your Organic Orchard 14 Saying It with Flowers 15 Managing Garden Trees and Shrubs 16 Creating and Caring for Your Organic Lawn IV Managing Problems 17 Creating a Natural Balance: Preventing Pests and Diseases Organically 18 Managing and Controlling Insect Pests 19 Battling Plant Diseases 20 Outwitting Invading Creatures 21 Weed It and Reap! V The Part of Tens 22 Ten Best Organic Gardening Practices 23 Ten Ways to Be Eco-friendly Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“This comprehensive guide will bring possibility to both aspiring gardeners and hopeful birders.” —Publishers Weekly“Illustrations, photographs, and charts make this a true visual guide, but the breadth of information provided means it can be read from cover to cover, or consulted as a reference guide when needed. Whether they're looking to hang their first bird feeder or are already experienced backyard birders, readers will find this an amply useful guide.” —Booklist

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