Gardening When It Counts: Growing Food in Hard Times (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series)

This book is full of good gardening information. However its hard to use it. The binding came apart 3 days after I got the book

Loaded with good no-nonsense information on preparing a productive garden in an efficient and economical manner.

I own Steve's previous book and have gardened for years using his method. This book explains in great detail how plants grow and survive down to the line drawings of root structure for most vegetables. That helped me to understand just how important it is to space my plants correctly. His description of how to manage the soil before planting is great! I can't wait to get out in the garden and amaze my neighbors!!

This is an excellent vegetable gardening book. Although Mr. Solomon has moved to Tasmania and now expands his scope to much of the English speaking world; if you have read his "Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades", you will find much that is familiar here. If not, you will find excellent information on seeds, where to buy them, how to prepare the garden bed and plant them, how to choose and maintain quality tools, composting and fertilizing, pest and disease problems, irrigation, and some specific plant growing advice.

The books subtitle, "Growing food in hard times", refers to the coming shortage of oil and the economic troubles ahead. Don't let this scare you away, the author spends very little time on this soapbox. The book falls a little short of the promise, though; after explaining why fertilizer, including the organic kinds, water, fuel for machines, etc. will be scarce and expensive, he spends a lot of space discussing imported fertilizer ingredients, sprinkler systems, and large plant spacing, none of which, by his own assertion, will be available to most of us in the future. He does discuss a few short term strategies, including compost cropping, increased plant spacing to save water and nutrients, but does little to help us prepare for the coming shortages.

This is one of those rare books that improve with the second reading. There is plenty of well-presented information. If you are new to gardening, or want to expand your harvest, this book is an excellent choice. If you are an intensive method gardener, this book will introduce an alternative perspective; read with an open mind, you will learn much about the strengths and weaknesses of both methods.

This is the first book I've EVER liked enough to spend my time writing a review. It is thorough, well-researched, straightforward, and well-written. Solomon is expert, yet not self-congratulatory. He supports his opinions, discloses his politics, and gives genuinely useful advice in clear terms. Worth every penny.