Cultivating Life: Growing Food Sustainably
by Tom Grimshaw The genus of this book was the observation that, by many indicators, our civilisation is not trending upward, but downward. If this trajectory continues, we may face increasingly difficult conditions in the years ahead. Considering a worst-case scenario, I realised I did not possess the practical skills that many of my forebears had. I would not know how to reliably grow food to sustain myself—what to grow from seed versus cuttings, what to plant and when, how to correct soil deficiencies, which crops grow well together, how to manage pests and diseases, or how to preserve food and save seed for future seasons. The principal purpose of this book is to provide a single, reliable source of knowledge for someone with little to no experience (myself included), enabling them to grow enough food to survive in a situation where access to external resources—such as the internet or gardening suppliers—is no longer available. In such circumstances, a practical manual like this could prove invaluable. The secondary purpose is to serve as a comprehensive and accessible reference for beginner gardeners, helping them plan and successfully grow food in whatever space they have available. My elder daughter argues that the book is most likely superfluous, that everyone her age and younger would just go on line with any question they have and ask Google or an AI tool and get the answer back in milliseconds. And there is plenty of truth in that viewpoint. But that only holds while we still have access to the internet. And having spent hundreds of hours compiling the data in the book I venture to suggest that the time it would take you to do that is probably worth more to you than the cost of purchasing this book. Caveat: There is probably not a gardener alive who would not be able to add to this work with workable, practical data that would improve results. If you have some data you think should be included, I would love to hear from you! There was a time when the kitchen garden was not optional. It was not decorative, and it certainly was not a weekend hobby. It was how families fed themselves. It represented a direct relationship between people and their food. The kitchen garden is the most practical entry point into food independence. You do not need hundreds of acres to start with, you need some space, some dirt, access to sun and water, a few minutes or more each day and a willingness to learn. The problem today is not that we cannot do this. It is that most people no longer know where to start. The good news is that the fundamentals are straightforward. The fundamentals is where I start with the first of these 3 books. The first 100 pages give you clear, simple data and starting steps to get you up and running (and winning). I cover the basics - what to plant when charts, what plants need how much light, how to create or refurbish soil and in what soil each does best. Then I take it up a notch, going over more advanced options in detail, advanced soil information, saving your spoils etc. (another nearly 200 pages) Book 2 lists 127 food crops and what you need to know to maximise your success with them. (500+ pages) Book 3 lists 575 antagonists (animals, insects, fungi, viruses) that compete with you for your crop. How to recognise them, how to minimise the chances of being affected by them and how to remedy them when they appear. (884 pages) $97 for PDF digital copy download link emailed to you:
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