The New Organic Grower: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener, 2nd Edition

One caveat: if you grow veggies on 1/4 acre or more you're going to like this book more than if you grow veggies on a small lot (less than 100 sq. ft), on a balcony, or in containers. The reader will have to scale down significantly the concepts in this book. I don't think it's impossible; but it is more work for the reader. also, this is not a how-to book. Coleman gives some guidance but no step-by-step instructions.I first checked this book out from the local library (as a newbie gardener I found the information relevant, fascinating and it fired me up about organic techniques which are making a comeback). I checked it out so many times that I decided to buy it. I must admit that some of the writing feels rather technical and elevated even though he does use plain English. The information on crop rotation was like a graduate level explication class for me (if that doesn't make sense that's how i felt after reading the crop rotation section). He has a method using index cards that i found clear as mud (that's part of the reason I didn't buy this book at first, i think I would have felt overwhelmed). It is geared toward small commercial growers 2.5 acres to 5 acres types. However, i believe that these concepts can be applied to a small home garden be it just a few raised beds or a 1/4 acre lot. While he won't tell you HOW to create a raised bed specifically or provide a step-by-step guide on everything there is to know about gardening, he gives you his known good advice on composting, soil amendment,row spacing, greenhouse growing and especially the crops that they grown on their farm successfully, and so much more. Also keep in mind that this book's concepts are from years working on a farm in New England (not to mention experience working on small farms in Europe)--for gardeners who don't have to contend with permafrost you just have to make adjustments and keep those garden zones differences in mind. I love this book but if you're a newbie, check the book out from the library and evaluate before you make a purchase (that's my general recommendation on any book for that matter).Lastly, don't be to surprised if the techniques described in the book may appear more labor intensive (I don't know what aspect of gardening isn't labor intensive, but anyway...) or more complicated than traditional gardening techniques (say for example controlling weeds with chemicals or killing pests with pesticide or amending soil with chemical fertilizers). This book is about purely ORGANIC techniques that in the long run means less work for you as the gardener and more work returning to mother nature. Hence the name, New Organic Grower.

Coleman addresses many of the issues that the organic, commercial grower is going to face and he does it in such a thoughtful and simple way that he's become the "thought leader" for a new breed of farmer. Far from being arrogant, as some reviewers have claimed, he continually writes that he has not invented nor discovered anything new, rather he brings knowledge in from other parts of the world, from other times, and from his own observations and presents it all with clarity. All this insight scales very well to the home gardener too, it's guaranteed that you will will learn a lot from this book and be inspired as well.There is a caveat that others have mentioned. His knowledge comes from doing, it always relates back to his own farm. This means that there's a big emphasis on growing in colder climates.

Probably the textbook for aspiring and even established market gardener's, written by one of the masters. Rather than a how to book, it is best read as a methodology on how to find evidence based solutions to particular problems. Coleman well understands that each gardener will have specific challenges yet all gardeners face many of the same general obstacles, such as pests, soil, and so on, and thus focuses on how to approach an issue rather than offering a set solution to that issue, knowing that what may work in Maine might not work elsewhere. Still the book is chock full of good ideas that have wide applicability, including his recipe for soil blocks, a recipe that, with a few tweaks, I have used with good results for several years. Coleman is also a bit of an inventor, and several of his creations are available through Johnny's Seeds. I do not always agree with everything, as many of my root vegetables transplant just fine thank you, but find this book an invaluable resource.

This is a very thorough and complete book that guides the reader through the set-up and maintenance of an organic garden. Great info on building the soil via natural and sustainable methods. Green manuring/cover croping is covered in great detail. This is also a complete plan for someone interested in running a market garden. Eliot Coleman shows that organic gardening is very simple, and that it can produce better quality items with less inputs. Overall, a great book that shows how we can protect and build our soils the natural way while harvesting a healthier and more quality crop.

As a market farmer, Coleman's book provided a new lens to analyze and improve upon our existing operations. The presentation of material is concise, explanatory and easily accessible without being redundant. Coleman's approach - importantly - takes into consideration that one size doesn't fit all! He encourages both experimentation and deviation within tried and true operational models and provides links and recommendations for those seeking climate/zone specific information. This book is a must read for home gardeners and larger scale market farmers. If you want to further your understanding of sustainable, biodynamic and chemical free farming, this book provides excellent insight into how to develop a farm/garden plan for the beginning farmer, and for the more experienced farmer how to fine-tune and expand existing systems to maximize production.

Best book to learn soil rich organic farming.

Nelle propria formazione di permacultore un testo iniziale molto utile. Poi occorre approfondire con altri volumi. L'autore è stato un vero innovatore anche nella creazione di strumenti manuali. Lo consiglio

Very good book! Helpfull & inspiring!

Fantástico libro para obtener más información sobre el método y las experiencias de este reconocido agricultor y docente

A very informative book, written very clearly. Expert information that allows you to grasp the ideas and topics quickly. You can sense the expertise of Eliot as you read his words, advice, suggestions and become educated on the subject. Yes, a worthwhile purchase I don't regret and neither will you.