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This is an excellent introduction to home grown food production. The sections on gardening list vegitables individualy with planting times, seedbed preperation, fertilizer requirements, harvest, storing/preserving, and even some preperation. It presents an "organic" viewpoint with out being dogmatic about it, offering advice on chemical fertilizer when needed. It offers good advice on choosing proper varieties of fruit and nut trees for your area, varieties of trees to get good pollinization, and where and how to plant them. There is a large section on various berries with how to grow and propogate different plants. The section on grains tells you how to grow your own wheat or other grains, but it also tell how to grind and use the flour.You can use this information even you don't grow your own and simply buy grain directly from a farmer for a few dollars per bushel. It also includes recipies and baking instructions. If you are interested in using your grain for "liquid bread" there is a chapter on beermaking. Ther is a chapter on herbs with many varieties I had never even heard of with instructions on how to grow them, preserve them and use them. The chapter on poultry guides you in choosing the proper breed for your use,(eggs, meat, or both). There is plenty of information on raising, feeding, caring for, and housing your flock, right down to building a coop. There are also chapters on small and large livestock With information on raising animals for meat, milk, and making cheese and yogurt. The book gives you an idea of how much ground is required for your needs and wants. Finally the book contains a complete index, a list of resources to find more information,and an appendix with hardiness zones and some state and local laws. There is much more information here than I have listed. I first checked this book out from my local library and then decided to buy it so I could have it as an onhand reference. This book is a must for anyone wanting a healthy, self sufficient food supply.Read full review
This is a great book to add to your gardening bookshelf. I reference this book every spring. I use to get it from the library every year until it dawned on me that it is one that deserves to sit on my bookshelf. I purchased it and I'm glad I did.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I LOVE this book so far and I'm not even done reading it! It has so many useful tips, and information...lots of answers to questions that I wouldn't have even thought to ask. Everything is really easy to understand (I had no knowledge of how to raise bees, now I do) and very well laid out. Not only is it well written but there are pictures in some cases to help convey what is being said. Perfect! Can't wait for it to be spring/summer so I can start putting some of this into action!
This book gives great information on starting seedlings, companion planting, livestock management, and is a great primer for a budding homesteader or for anyone who wants to be a bit more self sufficient. Please check with your local zoning laws before you jump into building chicken coops, etc. Not all areas are keen on some of the ideas in this book.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Saw it at Borders. Decided to shop around, though worth full price if you decide to start a garden and more. The book contains plenty of details and illustrations about traditional agricultural knowledge/processes. For example, what to plant next to what, which crop rotations are best, etc. Chapters on food preservation cover everything from canning fruits and vegetables to smoking meats. Chapters on animal husbandry provide everything from schematics on building chicken coops to preferred cuts of beef to making goat cheese. A comprehensive, if sometimes introductory, guide to turning your yard into a productive garden.
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