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themahtin's review
5.0
(I haven't finished the appendices, but I guess I'm close enough) This book is an amazing resource about how one very successful farmer couple does what it does. They farm organically on a small scale using fairly low tillage in a place where they can't farm year-round. There are useful charts about how they do things, and excellent descriptions of tools.
kristidurbs's review
4.0
Fantastic resource for someone wanting to be a gardener -- whether at home or for market -- and wants to increase productivity on a small space (acre or less). I appreciated immensely their insight into growing techniques as well as the extensive resources in the appendices. His appendix that goes crop by crop is also great for its detail for both growing and harvesting. The chapter and discussion of crop planning throughout was straightforward, easy to follow, and I think would be easy to emulate and adapt to one's own growing operation. Also, pest and disease issues are certainly site specific, but one could at least employ and adapt their tactics for one's own site.
The difficult parts for other growers to emulate about this book include:
the heavy reliance on compost,
the prevalence of greens in crop rotation that may not be practical for every grower and the absence of other crops that may be desired to grow,
glossing over the need to give the land rest and lie fallow for seasons in order to prevent "mining" the soil.
The difficult parts for other growers to emulate about this book include:
the heavy reliance on compost,
the prevalence of greens in crop rotation that may not be practical for every grower and the absence of other crops that may be desired to grow,
glossing over the need to give the land rest and lie fallow for seasons in order to prevent "mining" the soil.
sujithpadar's review
5.0
Beuatiful, concise and precise book about small scale organic vegetable gardening.
Everything here comes from the experience of Jean, there are no superlatives here, no magic tricks, just observations, and technique that has made his farm profitable.
A must read for anyone interested in organic farming.
Everything here comes from the experience of Jean, there are no superlatives here, no magic tricks, just observations, and technique that has made his farm profitable.
A must read for anyone interested in organic farming.
mmparker's review
3.0
Definitely an interesting addition to the field. Makes a useful complement to Eliot Coleman's New Organic Grower, but I'd start with that one - it's more comprehensive.
(Disclaimer: I am not a market gardener, so I don't have the scale to try most of what they talk about, nor the economic motives to want to)
(Disclaimer: I am not a market gardener, so I don't have the scale to try most of what they talk about, nor the economic motives to want to)
breenanyx's review
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Included in this book were charts and lots of information about actual cost, and how much they make off their farm. That was incredibly useful, although you have to remember inflation. I feel like so many of these books just tell you how to do things, but it was very helpful to have an idea of what to expect income-wise.
dgarten's review
4.0
interesting, comprehensive read! would be helpful if I needed a guide for farming.
dandreamelissa's review
5.0
Good primer if you are thinking of starting your own market garden or small organic farm. Lots of helpful charts and info. I wish I would have bought the book rather than just borrow it from the library, as it is a good reference. I guess I will have to purchase the book in the future.