The New Organic Grower: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener (A gardener's supply book)
by Eliot Coleman
Book Summary Information
Author: Eliot ColemanIllustrator: Sheri Amsel
Illustrator: Molly Cook Field
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1995-10-01
ISBN: 093003175X
Number of pages: 340
Publisher: Chelsea Green
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780930031756
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
- Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices
Book Reviews of The New Organic Grower: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener (A gardener's supply book)
Book Review: Extensive data, narrow range
Summary: 3 Stars
A glance at the other reviews will have you drooling over Coleman's "growers' bible". That's why I bought it. While good reviews are nice, I feel that the claim that this is a "master's manual or tools and techniques" is disingenuous. While Eliot is very complete and authoritative on the information he chooses to cover, there is NO information on:
1: Irrigation. He mentions he built a pond at one point. No clue how irrigation fits his system, if it does.
2: Mulches. While mentioned several times, there is no chapter or sub-section devoted to this important topic.
3: Egg or dairy systems. Livestock mentioned in the book is for meat. There is no concession for non-meat animal uses. He mentions sheep that he buys at the beginning of the season, sets to graze with the chickens, and then sells for little profit just so his chickens get more protein (read: bigger breasts).
Coleman never gets tired of talking about his farm-based sources of nutrients, and yet he is completely dependent on outside inputs for his unbelievably intricate 10-year fertility regime. He casually mentions buying peat and clay by the ton, neglects any mention of animal husbandry, seed saving or permaculture of any sort.
At times this comes over as downright sanctimonious, particularly in the chapter "Pests?" In which Eliot explains how every pest problem you've ever had is your fault for not paying attention to the culture requirements of the plants. He calls all pest management practices "palliatives" meant to hide the problem rather than correct the source of the pest issue.
Overall a well written book with loads of useful information. You just have to get over Coleman's down-east arrogance to get to the juicy bits.
More The New Organic Grower: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener (A gardener's supply book) reviews:
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