skalagrim
03-07-2007, 09:09 AM
Since this is a "for sale" thing, I posted it here instead of home and garden, though it's pertinent to gardening too.
I have written a book called "Mini Farming for Self Sufficiency." It's available via Amazon.com (and presumably some other places) as well as my website www.markhamfarm.com. If you are into gardening, you'll find my website interesting anyway because I post articles about gardening you may find useful.
My wife and I run a Certified Naturally Grown farm on a small plot of land, and developed specific methods for producing a lot of food in very little space. In less than 1/4 acre we produce: apples, pears, raspberries, grapes, chickens/eggs and a wide array of vegetables. We cover 80% of our food needs just on our property, plus sell surpluses to earn income. Must be our land wights are happy. (*grin*)
After successfully developing the methods, I put it all in a book so other people could duplicate what we did. The book concentrates on sustainable organic growing and open-pollinated - heirloom varieties covering everything you are likely to need to know, including seed starting and saving. It also covers raising/slaughtering chickens, raising fruit/nuts, freezing, canning and dehydrating. It's full of pictures taken right on our own farm and has tables covering everything you might imagine. (Sorry, the only picture you see of me is of my shoes as I demonstrate how to double-dig! I'm just not that photogenic. The shoes aren't terribly fashionable either.)
There are references in the reviews I reproduce below to the "scientific" nature of the book. I dunno if I ever posted the fact before - but I am a scientist (chemist) and engineer (electrical). My next degree will be in molecular biology, and I work as a network engineer. But don't let that put you off - I really DO explain everything so that anyone can understand the principles, and the more you understand about fundamental principles, the more widely you'll be able to apply them. The goal is self-sufficiency, and I'd do a disservice by leaving out important albeit scientific stuff.
So if you are interested in self sufficiency for hard times ahead, or replacing an income so a parent can raise kids full-time - check out my book. Peak oil is on the horizon, off-shoring, H1-Bs and illegal immigration are keeping wages stagnant at best. There's no time like the present to turbocharge your garden.
This was a major effort that kept me off the forum (and many other things) for months - and it isn't specifically religious, though it certainly addresses a core need of our Folk.
I've reproduced some reviews the book has received below.
FFF!
Skal
Terrific book
22 Feb 2007 (updated 22 Feb 2007)
by Carole Paschelke
This book is the best overall gardening resource book I have read. The in depth explanations of soil preparation and organic pest control practices are especially useful for an inexperienced gardener. I have a corner city lot and am still able to utilize the techniques in this book to successfully grow enough to significantly reduce my grocery bill and even earn income. I run a home-based preschool, and it's great to know that our garden helps teach science and nutrition, as well as produce healthy organic foods. While this book is full of scientific information, it is very well written and easy to read for the lay gardener.
my new "go to" book
26 Jan 2007
by Gwen Chiappini
This book is perfect for the new gardener just starting a small vegetable plot or for the experienced gardener with a large garden or farm. It is a comprehensive guide that will give you everything you need to know, starting with the first shovel full of dirt to preserving the fruit and vegetables that you grow. The book also includes instructions on composting, seed saving, and growing your own meat. I own many gardening books, and love them all, but none are as easy to read or have all the information in one book.
Definitely written by an expert
24 Jan 2007
by Roy Perkins
I'm an avid gardener and read a lot of garden books. This is really the best I ever read. The author seems to be some sort of scientist, but a scientist who can talk in a down-to-earth understandable way like a friend next door. This book covers more than any 3 other books - it has an entire chapter on composting alone, step-by-step pictures of double-digging, how to raise and even kill your own chickens plus information on saving seed. One of the coolest things is a chapter on seed starting that shows exactly how to plan for a fall garden.
I have written a book called "Mini Farming for Self Sufficiency." It's available via Amazon.com (and presumably some other places) as well as my website www.markhamfarm.com. If you are into gardening, you'll find my website interesting anyway because I post articles about gardening you may find useful.
My wife and I run a Certified Naturally Grown farm on a small plot of land, and developed specific methods for producing a lot of food in very little space. In less than 1/4 acre we produce: apples, pears, raspberries, grapes, chickens/eggs and a wide array of vegetables. We cover 80% of our food needs just on our property, plus sell surpluses to earn income. Must be our land wights are happy. (*grin*)
After successfully developing the methods, I put it all in a book so other people could duplicate what we did. The book concentrates on sustainable organic growing and open-pollinated - heirloom varieties covering everything you are likely to need to know, including seed starting and saving. It also covers raising/slaughtering chickens, raising fruit/nuts, freezing, canning and dehydrating. It's full of pictures taken right on our own farm and has tables covering everything you might imagine. (Sorry, the only picture you see of me is of my shoes as I demonstrate how to double-dig! I'm just not that photogenic. The shoes aren't terribly fashionable either.)
There are references in the reviews I reproduce below to the "scientific" nature of the book. I dunno if I ever posted the fact before - but I am a scientist (chemist) and engineer (electrical). My next degree will be in molecular biology, and I work as a network engineer. But don't let that put you off - I really DO explain everything so that anyone can understand the principles, and the more you understand about fundamental principles, the more widely you'll be able to apply them. The goal is self-sufficiency, and I'd do a disservice by leaving out important albeit scientific stuff.
So if you are interested in self sufficiency for hard times ahead, or replacing an income so a parent can raise kids full-time - check out my book. Peak oil is on the horizon, off-shoring, H1-Bs and illegal immigration are keeping wages stagnant at best. There's no time like the present to turbocharge your garden.
This was a major effort that kept me off the forum (and many other things) for months - and it isn't specifically religious, though it certainly addresses a core need of our Folk.
I've reproduced some reviews the book has received below.
FFF!
Skal
Terrific book
22 Feb 2007 (updated 22 Feb 2007)
by Carole Paschelke
This book is the best overall gardening resource book I have read. The in depth explanations of soil preparation and organic pest control practices are especially useful for an inexperienced gardener. I have a corner city lot and am still able to utilize the techniques in this book to successfully grow enough to significantly reduce my grocery bill and even earn income. I run a home-based preschool, and it's great to know that our garden helps teach science and nutrition, as well as produce healthy organic foods. While this book is full of scientific information, it is very well written and easy to read for the lay gardener.
my new "go to" book
26 Jan 2007
by Gwen Chiappini
This book is perfect for the new gardener just starting a small vegetable plot or for the experienced gardener with a large garden or farm. It is a comprehensive guide that will give you everything you need to know, starting with the first shovel full of dirt to preserving the fruit and vegetables that you grow. The book also includes instructions on composting, seed saving, and growing your own meat. I own many gardening books, and love them all, but none are as easy to read or have all the information in one book.
Definitely written by an expert
24 Jan 2007
by Roy Perkins
I'm an avid gardener and read a lot of garden books. This is really the best I ever read. The author seems to be some sort of scientist, but a scientist who can talk in a down-to-earth understandable way like a friend next door. This book covers more than any 3 other books - it has an entire chapter on composting alone, step-by-step pictures of double-digging, how to raise and even kill your own chickens plus information on saving seed. One of the coolest things is a chapter on seed starting that shows exactly how to plan for a fall garden.