multi-purpose calender, 06 Sep 2008
not only will this help you to grow healthier, tastier and stonger fruit, veg and house plants, but once you get the hang of it you can generally predict the weather better than the BBC. Its been spot on for my last 2 holidays in Cornwall and it gets Glastonbury festival right every year.

multi-purpose calender, 06 Sep 2008
not only will this help you to grow healthier, tastier and stonger fruit, veg and house plants, but once you get the hang of it you can generally predict the weather better than the BBC. Its been spot on for my last 2 holidays in Cornwall and it gets Glastonbury festival right every year.

Subtle agriculture for a world in crisis, 16 Apr 2008
Masanobu Fukuoka defies western or modern agricultural techniques going down to the basics of traditional japanese life. No chemicals and no digging the land for an abundant and long term harvest. Planting with the heart. Mindfulness...
The book and Masanobu himself impressed me and I find myself following his path like that of a guru.

Thought provoking environmental classic., 18 Dec 2000
If you are interested in the food you eat, the way this food is produced, or the environment please read this book. The role of modern science and economics within these topics are discussed in this book using hard facts and philosophy, in an easy to read manner. It may change the way you think. Part of the list price goes to plant trees in India to compensate for the use of pulp in this book!

multi-purpose calender, 06 Sep 2008
not only will this help you to grow healthier, tastier and stonger fruit, veg and house plants, but once you get the hang of it you can generally predict the weather better than the BBC. Its been spot on for my last 2 holidays in Cornwall and it gets Glastonbury festival right every year.

Subtle agriculture for a world in crisis, 16 Apr 2008
Masanobu Fukuoka defies western or modern agricultural techniques going down to the basics of traditional japanese life. No chemicals and no digging the land for an abundant and long term harvest. Planting with the heart. Mindfulness...
The book and Masanobu himself impressed me and I find myself following his path like that of a guru.

Thought provoking environmental classic., 18 Dec 2000
If you are interested in the food you eat, the way this food is produced, or the environment please read this book. The role of modern science and economics within these topics are discussed in this book using hard facts and philosophy, in an easy to read manner. It may change the way you think. Part of the list price goes to plant trees in India to compensate for the use of pulp in this book!

Wooo!, 07 Oct 2008
When I got off my flight I had to get this sent to me, another hilarious recounting of tales of a smallholder, well done chas

And again!!!, 16 Jan 2008
I read the first and had to buy this. Again, it is a fantastic read. This book gives more detail on how the Author's mind works and thinks. It too is truely inspiring!

multi-purpose calender, 06 Sep 2008
not only will this help you to grow healthier, tastier and stonger fruit, veg and house plants, but once you get the hang of it you can generally predict the weather better than the BBC. Its been spot on for my last 2 holidays in Cornwall and it gets Glastonbury festival right every year.

Subtle agriculture for a world in crisis, 16 Apr 2008
Masanobu Fukuoka defies western or modern agricultural techniques going down to the basics of traditional japanese life. No chemicals and no digging the land for an abundant and long term harvest. Planting with the heart. Mindfulness...
The book and Masanobu himself impressed me and I find myself following his path like that of a guru.

Thought provoking environmental classic., 18 Dec 2000
If you are interested in the food you eat, the way this food is produced, or the environment please read this book. The role of modern science and economics within these topics are discussed in this book using hard facts and philosophy, in an easy to read manner. It may change the way you think. Part of the list price goes to plant trees in India to compensate for the use of pulp in this book!

Wooo!, 07 Oct 2008
When I got off my flight I had to get this sent to me, another hilarious recounting of tales of a smallholder, well done chas

And again!!!, 16 Jan 2008
I read the first and had to buy this. Again, it is a fantastic read. This book gives more detail on how the Author's mind works and thinks. It too is truely inspiring!

Pure Inspiration!, 27 Sep 2007
It has been a long while since I have found myself holding my breath as I read a book, but I found myself doing this many times while reading the story of the young brother and sister Ben and Charlotte Hollins and their right hand girl Sophie Hopkins.

I defy anyone who reads their story not to be moved by it. The total determination and dedication they have shown in order to save a way of life and to preserve and restore the unique setting created by their late Father, organic pioneer Arthur Hollins, should be an inspiration to all.

The book, with alternate chapters written by Ben and Charlotte, not only details their against-all-odds struggle to raise £8000,000 from scratch in order save Fordhall Farm from any development and preserve it for future generations, it also shows a complete and selfless community commitment and gives an insite into the fight for survival that the vast majority of today's farmers face. I would suggest that you invest in a hardback copy of this book, as you will be reading and re-reading it many times over.



People power saves an historic farm for the future, 03 Aug 2007
This book is quite amazing. The story of the Fight to Save Fordhall Farm is told with an enthusiasm and a natural style which makes the reader feel that the authors are sharing their experiences on a personal level. The alternating chapters by Charlotte and Ben Hollins add to this feeling of involvement, and the interest continues throughout, which makes the book very hard to put down.

It is an inspiring story of courage, determination and hope, in the face of what seemed insuperable odds, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. One is left with a feeling of admiration for the success of the campaign, and the on-going progress at the farm and with the Fordhall Community Land Initiative. The farm has now been saved from the threat of development, and a 100-year tenancy agreement has been granted to Ben and Charlotte by the Initiative to give them security for the first time.

This book deserves to become a non-fiction best-seller, and is highly recommended.

multi-purpose calender, 06 Sep 2008
not only will this help you to grow healthier, tastier and stonger fruit, veg and house plants, but once you get the hang of it you can generally predict the weather better than the BBC. Its been spot on for my last 2 holidays in Cornwall and it gets Glastonbury festival right every year.

Subtle agriculture for a world in crisis, 16 Apr 2008
Masanobu Fukuoka defies western or modern agricultural techniques going down to the basics of traditional japanese life. No chemicals and no digging the land for an abundant and long term harvest. Planting with the heart. Mindfulness...
The book and Masanobu himself impressed me and I find myself following his path like that of a guru.

Thought provoking environmental classic., 18 Dec 2000
If you are interested in the food you eat, the way this food is produced, or the environment please read this book. The role of modern science and economics within these topics are discussed in this book using hard facts and philosophy, in an easy to read manner. It may change the way you think. Part of the list price goes to plant trees in India to compensate for the use of pulp in this book!

Wooo!, 07 Oct 2008
When I got off my flight I had to get this sent to me, another hilarious recounting of tales of a smallholder, well done chas

And again!!!, 16 Jan 2008
I read the first and had to buy this. Again, it is a fantastic read. This book gives more detail on how the Author's mind works and thinks. It too is truely inspiring!

Pure Inspiration!, 27 Sep 2007
It has been a long while since I have found myself holding my breath as I read a book, but I found myself doing this many times while reading the story of the young brother and sister Ben and Charlotte Hollins and their right hand girl Sophie Hopkins.

I defy anyone who reads their story not to be moved by it. The total determination and dedication they have shown in order to save a way of life and to preserve and restore the unique setting created by their late Father, organic pioneer Arthur Hollins, should be an inspiration to all.

The book, with alternate chapters written by Ben and Charlotte, not only details their against-all-odds struggle to raise £8000,000 from scratch in order save Fordhall Farm from any development and preserve it for future generations, it also shows a complete and selfless community commitment and gives an insite into the fight for survival that the vast majority of today's farmers face. I would suggest that you invest in a hardback copy of this book, as you will be reading and re-reading it many times over.



People power saves an historic farm for the future, 03 Aug 2007
This book is quite amazing. The story of the Fight to Save Fordhall Farm is told with an enthusiasm and a natural style which makes the reader feel that the authors are sharing their experiences on a personal level. The alternating chapters by Charlotte and Ben Hollins add to this feeling of involvement, and the interest continues throughout, which makes the book very hard to put down.

It is an inspiring story of courage, determination and hope, in the face of what seemed insuperable odds, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. One is left with a feeling of admiration for the success of the campaign, and the on-going progress at the farm and with the Fordhall Community Land Initiative. The farm has now been saved from the threat of development, and a 100-year tenancy agreement has been granted to Ben and Charlotte by the Initiative to give them security for the first time.

This book deserves to become a non-fiction best-seller, and is highly recommended.


Difficult to find a better book than this, 22 Jan 2004
Practical idealists, the Shakers demonstrated that it is possible for man to create the environment and way of life he wants, not by complaining about the system but by building their own domain arranged to their liking. Eliot Coleman, farm manager of the Mountain School Program of Milton Academy in Vershire, Vermont, has demonstrated that it is possible to undertake small-scale, commercial farming and gardening without the use of harmful pesticides by using cost-effective, environmentally sustainable methods to produce spectacular results with economy of effort and means. By offering a wealth of ideas; by identifying the most efficient and practical machinery and tools; by offering simple and efficient production techniques; and advising on the most remunerative marketing methods, this book is for the gardener and small farmer who has an unfulfilled dream to established an organic enterprise with minimal expense. When low cost production methods are allied with the right machinery and marketing practices, the viability of the 1-5 acre farm producing high quality food is not only possible but also enjoyable and profitable.

The advantage enjoyed by the small farmer is quality. If the product is first class and in demand and you are a dependable supplier at reasonable cost there is never a problem finding customers. But it needs hard work and intelligence. When starting in the era of 'get big or get out' there were almost no models of commercially successful organic small farmers to provide inspiration and ideas and where they existed it was exhausting and neither cost effective nor efficient. But by seeking out the best from different parts of the world Coleman found the optimum to be about 2.5 acres per grower - enough to produce quality vegetables for 100 people. Produce from the school farm now set the quality standards for the area. He learned much from Helen and Scott Nearing - they were the most practically organized country people he has met - especially their skills in observation and planning. Coleman sets out the year's work on paper during the winter and has a notebook with sections for each crop. He rotates crops until he finds the optimum - the single most important practice in a multi-cropping program. "The 8-year rotation presented below is a good one to conclude with because it is the one I have followed since 1982. It has been well tested. I have thought about modifying it countless times but never have. Its virtues always seem to outweigh its defects, although that isn't to say it can't be improved. I'm sure it can. But it has been a dependable producer and I offer it here as a tried-and-true example of a successful rotational sequence that incorporates many crop benefits. The goal of this particular rotation is to grow 32 vegetable crops in adequate quantities to feed for a year the community of 60-some people who eat daily in the Mountain School dining hall. Since we have found that we can feed 40 people per acre, the rotation below represents 1.5 acres of land. The salad crops not included here are grown in a separate small salad garden close to the kitchen." However, the author points out that tomatoes do better being grown in the same place each year fertilized by their own waste.

Factors that affect plant growth - light, moisture, temperature, soil fertility, mineral balance, biotic life, weeds, pests, seeds, labor, planning and skill - need to be arranged to the plant's liking with the grower coordinating and combining them into a harmonious whole much like the conductor of an orchestra. Successful farmers understand that their role is to help the seed do what it is already determined to do. Good farming practices such as crop rotation, animal manures, green manures, cover crops, mixed cropping, mixed stocking, legumes, crop residues, and season extension have been used for generations, but removing the limiting factors to plant growth and generating a balanced soil fertility are ultimately the secret of success.

There are 22 chapters, each one dealing with an important element of success such as green manures, tillage, direct seeding, transplanting, weeds, pests, harvest, marketing, season extension. In addition there are three appendices on tools, the major vegetable crops and a one-page schematic outline of biological agriculture. If you plan to buy just one book on organic growing, you will find it difficult to beat this book.

well laid out reference manual on organic principles., 26 Oct 2000
As a newcomer to organic agriculture and permaculture practices.I have read several works on the principles of organic agricultural practices but keep coming back to this excellent book.The only drawback I have found in reading it is that it is slightly more biased to the small scale commercial grower.Having said that ,all the points it brings out are relevant to all the organic philosiphies.Once again though it is an invaluable aid and thought provoking piece of work.I would highly recommend it.

A PRIMARY WORK FROM A MASTER, 08 Jul 1999
For over three thousand years there has been a written record of agricultural and horticultural curiosity and creativity. It is a domain of understanding where observation has always been the source of creativity. During that long history there have been many brilliantly creative observers of nature whose passions form the backbone of what we know about growing plants. Eliot Coleman is one of those true masters. He has spent his life applying his enormous, practical curiosity to HOW TO GROW FOOD PLANTS. If you grow vegetables and fruits, for pleasure or for market, you owe it to yourself to sit at the feet of one of the very best.

from Nicholas Lore, best selling author of "THE PATHFINDER: How To Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success"

useful to growers on any scale, 11 Jun 1999
I could not recomend another book more highly. The information in this book is useful to growers on any scale. The chapters on soil preparation and crop rotaion are worth the price alone. I am online right now ordering a copy for my dad as a gift. Enjoy!

Organic Gardening explained both Factually & Philosophically, 14 May 1999
Eliot Coleman has written a masterful treatment of a deeply important subject. Not only does he offer an array of practical, time tested methods to help the reader successfully garden organically, he also tells the reader WHY one would wish to do so.

multi-purpose calender, 06 Sep 2008
not only will this help you to grow healthier, tastier and stonger fruit, veg and house plants, but once you get the hang of it you can generally predict the weather better than the BBC. Its been spot on for my last 2 holidays in Cornwall and it gets Glastonbury festival right every year.

Subtle agriculture for a world in crisis, 16 Apr 2008
Masanobu Fukuoka defies western or modern agricultural techniques going down to the basics of traditional japanese life. No chemicals and no digging the land for an abundant and long term harvest. Planting with the heart. Mindfulness...
The book and Masanobu himself impressed me and I find myself following his path like that of a guru.

Thought provoking environmental classic., 18 Dec 2000
If you are interested in the food you eat, the way this food is produced, or the environment please read this book. The role of modern science and economics within these topics are discussed in this book using hard facts and philosophy, in an easy to read manner. It may change the way you think. Part of the list price goes to plant trees in India to compensate for the use of pulp in this book!

Wooo!, 07 Oct 2008
When I got off my flight I had to get this sent to me, another hilarious recounting of tales of a smallholder, well done chas

And again!!!, 16 Jan 2008
I read the first and had to buy this. Again, it is a fantastic read. This book gives more detail on how the Author's mind works and thinks. It too is truely inspiring!

Pure Inspiration!, 27 Sep 2007
It has been a long while since I have found myself holding my breath as I read a book, but I found myself doing this many times while reading the story of the young brother and sister Ben and Charlotte Hollins and their right hand girl Sophie Hopkins.

I defy anyone who reads their story not to be moved by it. The total determination and dedication they have shown in order to save a way of life and to preserve and restore the unique setting created by their late Father, organic pioneer Arthur Hollins, should be an inspiration to all.

The book, with alternate chapters written by Ben and Charlotte, not only details their against-all-odds struggle to raise £8000,000 from scratch in order save Fordhall Farm from any development and preserve it for future generations, it also shows a complete and selfless community commitment and gives an insite into the fight for survival that the vast majority of today's farmers face. I would suggest that you invest in a hardback copy of this book, as you will be reading and re-reading it many times over.



People power saves an historic farm for the future, 03 Aug 2007
This book is quite amazing. The story of the Fight to Save Fordhall Farm is told with an enthusiasm and a natural style which makes the reader feel that the authors are sharing their experiences on a personal level. The alternating chapters by Charlotte and Ben Hollins add to this feeling of involvement, and the interest continues throughout, which makes the book very hard to put down.

It is an inspiring story of courage, determination and hope, in the face of what seemed insuperable odds, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. One is left with a feeling of admiration for the success of the campaign, and the on-going progress at the farm and with the Fordhall Community Land Initiative. The farm has now been saved from the threat of development, and a 100-year tenancy agreement has been granted to Ben and Charlotte by the Initiative to give them security for the first time.

This book deserves to become a non-fiction best-seller, and is highly recommended.


Difficult to find a better book than this, 22 Jan 2004
Practical idealists, the Shakers demonstrated that it is possible for man to create the environment and way of life he wants, not by complaining about the system but by building their own domain arranged to their liking. Eliot Coleman, farm manager of the Mountain School Program of Milton Academy in Vershire, Vermont, has demonstrated that it is possible to undertake small-scale, commercial farming and gardening without the use of harmful pesticides by using cost-effective, environmentally sustainable methods to produce spectacular results with economy of effort and means. By offering a wealth of ideas; by identifying the most efficient and practical machinery and tools; by offering simple and efficient production techniques; and advising on the most remunerative marketing methods, this book is for the gardener and small farmer who has an unfulfilled dream to established an organic enterprise with minimal expense. When low cost production methods are allied with the right machinery and marketing practices, the viability of the 1-5 acre farm producing high quality food is not only possible but also enjoyable and profitable.

The advantage enjoyed by the small farmer is quality. If the product is first class and in demand and you are a dependable supplier at reasonable cost there is never a problem finding customers. But it needs hard work and intelligence. When starting in the era of 'get big or get out' there were almost no models of commercially successful organic small farmers to provide inspiration and ideas and where they existed it was exhausting and neither cost effective nor efficient. But by seeking out the best from different parts of the world Coleman found the optimum to be about 2.5 acres per grower - enough to produce quality vegetables for 100 people. Produce from the school farm now set the quality standards for the area. He learned much from Helen and Scott Nearing - they were the most practically organized country people he has met - especially their skills in observation and planning. Coleman sets out the year's work on paper during the winter and has a notebook with sections for each crop. He rotates crops until he finds the optimum - the single most important practice in a multi-cropping program. "The 8-year rotation presented below is a good one to conclude with because it is the one I have followed since 1982. It has been well tested. I have thought about modifying it countless times but never have. Its virtues always seem to outweigh its defects, although that isn't to say it can't be improved. I'm sure it can. But it has been a dependable producer and I offer it here as a tried-and-true example of a successful rotational sequence that incorporates many crop benefits. The goal of this particular rotation is to grow 32 vegetable crops in adequate quantities to feed for a year the community of 60-some people who eat daily in the Mountain School dining hall. Since we have found that we can feed 40 people per acre, the rotation below represents 1.5 acres of land. The salad crops not included here are grown in a separate small salad garden close to the kitchen." However, the author points out that tomatoes do better being grown in the same place each year fertilized by their own waste.

Factors that affect plant growth - light, moisture, temperature, soil fertility, mineral balance, biotic life, weeds, pests, seeds, labor, planning and skill - need to be arranged to the plant's liking with the grower coordinating and combining them into a harmonious whole much like the conductor of an orchestra. Successful farmers understand that their role is to help the seed do what it is already determined to do. Good farming practices such as crop rotation, animal manures, green manures, cover crops, mixed cropping, mixed stocking, legumes, crop residues, and season extension have been used for generations, but removing the limiting factors to plant growth and generating a balanced soil fertility are ultimately the secret of success.

There are 22 chapters, each one dealing with an important element of success such as green manures, tillage, direct seeding, transplanting, weeds, pests, harvest, marketing, season extension. In addition there are three appendices on tools, the major vegetable crops and a one-page schematic outline of biological agriculture. If you plan to buy just one book on organic growing, you will find it difficult to beat this book.

well laid out reference manual on organic principles., 26 Oct 2000
As a newcomer to organic agriculture and permaculture practices.I have read several works on the principles of organic agricultural practices but keep coming back to this excellent book.The only drawback I have found in reading it is that it is slightly more biased to the small scale commercial grower.Having said that ,all the points it brings out are relevant to all the organic philosiphies.Once again though it is an invaluable aid and thought provoking piece of work.I would highly recommend it.

A PRIMARY WORK FROM A MASTER, 08 Jul 1999
For over three thousand years there has been a written record of agricultural and horticultural curiosity and creativity. It is a domain of understanding where observation has always been the source of creativity. During that long history there have been many brilliantly creative observers of nature whose passions form the backbone of what we know about growing plants. Eliot Coleman is one of those true masters. He has spent his life applying his enormous, practical curiosity to HOW TO GROW FOOD PLANTS. If you grow vegetables and fruits, for pleasure or for market, you owe it to yourself to sit at the feet of one of the very best.

from Nicholas Lore, best selling author of "THE PATHFINDER: How To Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success"

useful to growers on any scale, 11 Jun 1999
I could not recomend another book more highly. The information in this book is useful to growers on any scale. The chapters on soil preparation and crop rotaion are worth the price alone. I am online right now ordering a copy for my dad as a gift. Enjoy!

Organic Gardening explained both Factually & Philosophically, 14 May 1999
Eliot Coleman has written a masterful treatment of a deeply important subject. Not only does he offer an array of practical, time tested methods to help the reader successfully garden organically, he also tells the reader WHY one would wish to do so.

In response to the above, 20 Nov 2008
Sorry the above felt like this, we, as publishers, felt that the synopsis more than explained that this was not a step by step guide to being self-sufficient but more ancedotal and tongue-in-cheek - the opposite to all the rose tinted glasses stuff about living the good life. Anybody who has read Rosamund's other book, The Secret Life of Cows, will know her to be passionate about what she does and anything but bitter.

One woman's memoirs of life living off the land, 31 Oct 2008
A very interesting read but not full of the practical know-how which I was expecting. The author came across as being very bitter about her life and the 'story' seemed to jump around quite a bit. Not really something you can dip into for advice every now and then.

multi-purpose calender, 06 Sep 2008
not only will this help you to grow healthier, tastier and stonger fruit, veg and house plants, but once you get the hang of it you can generally predict the weather better than the BBC. Its been spot on for my last 2 holidays in Cornwall and it gets Glastonbury festival right every year.

Subtle agriculture for a world in crisis, 16 Apr 2008
Masanobu Fukuoka defies western or modern agricultural techniques going down to the basics of traditional japanese life. No chemicals and no digging the land for an abundant and long term harvest. Planting with the heart. Mindfulness...
The book and Masanobu himself impressed me and I find myself following his path like that of a guru.

Thought provoking environmental classic., 18 Dec 2000
If you are interested in the food you eat, the way this food is produced, or the environment please read this book. The role of modern science and economics within these topics are discussed in this book using hard facts and philosophy, in an easy to read manner. It may change the way you think. Part of the list price goes to plant trees in India to compensate for the use of pulp in this book!

Wooo!, 07 Oct 2008
When I got off my flight I had to get this sent to me, another hilarious recounting of tales of a smallholder, well done chas

And again!!!, 16 Jan 2008
I read the first and had to buy this. Again, it is a fantastic read. This book gives more detail on how the Author's mind works and thinks. It too is truely inspiring!

Pure Inspiration!, 27 Sep 2007
It has been a long while since I have found myself holding my breath as I read a book, but I found myself doing this many times while reading the story of the young brother and sister Ben and Charlotte Hollins and their right hand girl Sophie Hopkins.

I defy anyone who reads their story not to be moved by it. The total determination and dedication they have shown in order to save a way of life and to preserve and restore the unique setting created by their late Father, organic pioneer Arthur Hollins, should be an inspiration to all.

The book, with alternate chapters written by Ben and Charlotte, not only details their against-all-odds struggle to raise £8000,000 from scratch in order save Fordhall Farm from any development and preserve it for future generations, it also shows a complete and selfless community commitment and gives an insite into the fight for survival that the vast majority of today's farmers face. I would suggest that you invest in a hardback copy of this book, as you will be reading and re-reading it many times over.



People power saves an historic farm for the future, 03 Aug 2007
This book is quite amazing. The story of the Fight to Save Fordhall Farm is told with an enthusiasm and a natural style which makes the reader feel that the authors are sharing their experiences on a personal level. The alternating chapters by Charlotte and Ben Hollins add to this feeling of involvement, and the interest continues throughout, which makes the book very hard to put down.

It is an inspiring story of courage, determination and hope, in the face of what seemed insuperable odds, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. One is left with a feeling of admiration for the success of the campaign, and the on-going progress at the farm and with the Fordhall Community Land Initiative. The farm has now been saved from the threat of development, and a 100-year tenancy agreement has been granted to Ben and Charlotte by the Initiative to give them security for the first time.

This book deserves to become a non-fiction best-seller, and is highly recommended.


Difficult to find a better book than this, 22 Jan 2004
Practical idealists, the Shakers demonstrated that it is possible for man to create the environment and way of life he wants, not by complaining about the system but by building their own domain arranged to their liking. Eliot Coleman, farm manager of the Mountain School Program of Milton Academy in Vershire, Vermont, has demonstrated that it is possible to undertake small-scale, commercial farming and gardening without the use of harmful pesticides by using cost-effective, environmentally sustainable methods to produce spectacular results with economy of effort and means. By offering a wealth of ideas; by identifying the most efficient and practical machinery and tools; by offering simple and efficient production techniques; and advising on the most remunerative marketing methods, this book is for the gardener and small farmer who has an unfulfilled dream to established an organic enterprise with minimal expense. When low cost production methods are allied with the right machinery and marketing practices, the viability of the 1-5 acre farm producing high quality food is not only possible but also enjoyable and profitable.

The advantage enjoyed by the small farmer is quality. If the product is first class and in demand and you are a dependable supplier at reasonable cost there is never a problem finding customers. But it needs hard work and intelligence. When starting in the era of 'get big or get out' there were almost no models of commercially successful organic small farmers to provide inspiration and ideas and where they existed it was exhausting and neither cost effective nor efficient. But by seeking out the best from different parts of the world Coleman found the optimum to be about 2.5 acres per grower - enough to produce quality vegetables for 100 people. Produce from the school farm now set the quality standards for the area. He learned much from Helen and Scott Nearing - they were the most practically organized country people he has met - especially their skills in observation and planning. Coleman sets out the year's work on paper during the winter and has a notebook with sections for each crop. He rotates crops until he finds the optimum - the single most important practice in a multi-cropping program. "The 8-year rotation presented below is a good one to conclude with because it is the one I have followed since 1982. It has been well tested. I have thought about modifying it countless times but never have. Its virtues always seem to outweigh its defects, although that isn't to say it can't be improved. I'm sure it can. But it has been a dependable producer and I offer it here as a tried-and-true example of a successful rotational sequence that incorporates many crop benefits. The goal of this particular rotation is to grow 32 vegetable crops in adequate quantities to feed for a year the community of 60-some people who eat daily in the Mountain School dining hall. Since we have found that we can feed 40 people per acre, the rotation below represents 1.5 acres of land. The salad crops not included here are grown in a separate small salad garden close to the kitchen." However, the author points out that tomatoes do better being grown in the same place each year fertilized by their own waste.

Factors that affect plant growth - light, moisture, temperature, soil fertility, mineral balance, biotic life, weeds, pests, seeds, labor, planning and skill - need to be arranged to the plant's liking with the grower coordinating and combining them into a harmonious whole much like the conductor of an orchestra. Successful farmers understand that their role is to help the seed do what it is already determined to do. Good farming practices such as crop rotation, animal manures, green manures, cover crops, mixed cropping, mixed stocking, legumes, crop residues, and season extension have been used for generations, but removing the limiting factors to plant growth and generating a balanced soil fertility are ultimately the secret of success.

There are 22 chapters, each one dealing with an important element of success such as green manures, tillage, direct seeding, transplanting, weeds, pests, harvest, marketing, season extension. In addition there are three appendices on tools, the major vegetable crops and a one-page schematic outline of biological agriculture. If you plan to buy just one book on organic growing, you will find it difficult to beat this book.

well laid out reference manual on organic principles., 26 Oct 2000
As a newcomer to organic agriculture and permaculture practices.I have read several works on the principles of organic agricultural practices but keep coming back to this excellent book.The only drawback I have found in reading it is that it is slightly more biased to the small scale commercial grower.Having said that ,all the points it brings out are relevant to all the organic philosiphies.Once again though it is an invaluable aid and thought provoking piece of work.I would highly recommend it.

A PRIMARY WORK FROM A MASTER, 08 Jul 1999
For over three thousand years there has been a written record of agricultural and horticultural curiosity and creativity. It is a domain of understanding where observation has always been the source of creativity. During that long history there have been many brilliantly creative observers of nature whose passions form the backbone of what we know about growing plants. Eliot Coleman is one of those true masters. He has spent his life applying his enormous, practical curiosity to HOW TO GROW FOOD PLANTS. If you grow vegetables and fruits, for pleasure or for market, you owe it to yourself to sit at the feet of one of the very best.

from Nicholas Lore, best selling author of "THE PATHFINDER: How To Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success"

useful to growers on any scale, 11 Jun 1999
I could not recomend another book more highly. The information in this book is useful to growers on any scale. The chapters on soil preparation and crop rotaion are worth the price alone. I am online right now ordering a copy for my dad as a gift. Enjoy!

Organic Gardening explained both Factually & Philosophically, 14 May 1999
Eliot Coleman has written a masterful treatment of a deeply important subject. Not only does he offer an array of practical, time tested methods to help the reader successfully garden organically, he also tells the reader WHY one would wish to do so.

In response to the above, 20 Nov 2008
Sorry the above felt like this, we, as publishers, felt that the synopsis more than explained that this was not a step by step guide to being self-sufficient but more ancedotal and tongue-in-cheek - the opposite to all the rose tinted glasses stuff about living the good life. Anybody who has read Rosamund's other book, The Secret Life of Cows, will know her to be passionate about what she does and anything but bitter.

One woman's memoirs of life living off the land, 31 Oct 2008
A very interesting read but not full of the practical know-how which I was expecting. The author came across as being very bitter about her life and the 'story' seemed to jump around quite a bit. Not really something you can dip into for advice every now and then.

Very useful reference, 30 Jun 2007
My main source of information - lots of background and explanation but the most useful condensed section at the back - practical and concise info on planting, management, harvest and storing by vegetable type.

multi-purpose calender, 06 Sep 2008
not only will this help you to grow healthier, tastier and stonger fruit, veg and house plants, but once you get the hang of it you can generally predict the weather better than the BBC. Its been spot on for my last 2 holidays in Cornwall and it gets Glastonbury festival right every year.

Subtle agriculture for a world in crisis, 16 Apr 2008
Masanobu Fukuoka defies western or modern agricultural techniques going down to the basics of traditional japanese life. No chemicals and no digging the land for an abundant and long term harvest. Planting with the heart. Mindfulness...
The book and Masanobu himself impressed me and I find myself following his path like that of a guru.

Thought provoking environmental classic., 18 Dec 2000
If you are interested in the food you eat, the way this food is produced, or the environment please read this book. The role of modern science and economics within these topics are discussed in this book using hard facts and philosophy, in an easy to read manner. It may change the way you think. Part of the list price goes to plant trees in India to compensate for the use of pulp in this book!

Wooo!, 07 Oct 2008
When I got off my flight I had to get this sent to me, another hilarious recounting of tales of a smallholder, well done chas

And again!!!, 16 Jan 2008
I read the first and had to buy this. Again, it is a fantastic read. This book gives more detail on how the Author's mind works and thinks. It too is truely inspiring!

Pure Inspiration!, 27 Sep 2007
It has been a long while since I have found myself holding my breath as I read a book, but I found myself doing this many times while reading the story of the young brother and sister Ben and Charlotte Hollins and their right hand girl Sophie Hopkins.

I defy anyone who reads their story not to be moved by it. The total determination and dedication they have shown in order to save a way of life and to preserve and restore the unique setting created by their late Father, organic pioneer Arthur Hollins, should be an inspiration to all.

The book, with alternate chapters written by Ben and Charlotte, not only details their against-all-odds struggle to raise £8000,000 from scratch in order save Fordhall Farm from any development and preserve it for future generations, it also shows a complete and selfless community commitment and gives an insite into the fight for survival that the vast majority of today's farmers face. I would suggest that you invest in a hardback copy of this book, as you will be reading and re-reading it many times over.



People power saves an historic farm for the future, 03 Aug 2007
This book is quite amazing. The story of the Fight to Save Fordhall Farm is told with an enthusiasm and a natural style which makes the reader feel that the authors are sharing their experiences on a personal level. The alternating chapters by Charlotte and Ben Hollins add to this feeling of involvement, and the interest continues throughout, which makes the book very hard to put down.

It is an inspiring story of courage, determination and hope, in the face of what seemed insuperable odds, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. One is left with a feeling of admiration for the success of the campaign, and the on-going progress at the farm and with the Fordhall Community Land Initiative. The farm has now been saved from the threat of development, and a 100-year tenancy agreement has been granted to Ben and Charlotte by the Initiative to give them security for the first time.

This book deserves to become a non-fiction best-seller, and is highly recommended.


Difficult to find a better book than this, 22 Jan 2004
Practical idealists, the Shakers demonstrated that it is possible for man to create the environment and way of life he wants, not by complaining about the system but by building their own domain arranged to their liking. Eliot Coleman, farm manager of the Mountain School Program of Milton Academy in Vershire, Vermont, has demonstrated that it is possible to undertake small-scale, commercial farming and gardening without the use of harmful pesticides by using cost-effective, environmentally sustainable methods to produce spectacular results with economy of effort and means. By offering a wealth of ideas; by identifying the most efficient and practical machinery and tools; by offering simple and efficient production techniques; and advising on the most remunerative marketing methods, this book is for the gardener and small farmer who has an unfulfilled dream to established an organic enterprise with minimal expense. When low cost production methods are allied with the right machinery and marketing practices, the viability of the 1-5 acre farm producing high quality food is not only possible but also enjoyable and profitable.

The advantage enjoyed by the small farmer is quality. If the product is first class and in demand and you are a dependable supplier at reasonable cost there is never a problem finding customers. But it needs hard work and intelligence. When starting in the era of 'get big or get out' there were almost no models of commercially successful organic small farmers to provide inspiration and ideas and where they existed it was exhausting and neither cost effective nor efficient. But by seeking out the best from different parts of the world Coleman found the optimum to be about 2.5 acres per grower - enough to produce quality vegetables for 100 people. Produce from the school farm now set the quality standards for the area. He learned much from Helen and Scott Nearing - they were the most practically organized country people he has met - especially their skills in observation and planning. Coleman sets out the year's work on paper during the winter and has a notebook with sections for each crop. He rotates crops until he finds the optimum - the single most important practice in a multi-cropping program. "The 8-year rotation presented below is a good one to conclude with because it is the one I have followed since 1982. It has been well tested. I have thought about modifying it countless times but never have. Its virtues always seem to outweigh its defects, although that isn't to say it can't be improved. I'm sure it can. But it has been a dependable producer and I offer it here as a tried-and-true example of a successful rotational sequence that incorporates many crop benefits. The goal of this particular rotation is to grow 32 vegetable crops in adequate quantities to feed for a year the community of 60-some people who eat daily in the Mountain School dining hall. Since we have found that we can feed 40 people per acre, the rotation below represents 1.5 acres of land. The salad crops not included here are grown in a separate small salad garden close to the kitchen." However, the author points out that tomatoes do better being grown in the same place each year fertilized by their own waste.

Factors that affect plant growth - light, moisture, temperature, soil fertility, mineral balance, biotic life, weeds, pests, seeds, labor, planning and skill - need to be arranged to the plant's liking with the grower coordinating and combining them into a harmonious whole much like the conductor of an orchestra. Successful farmers understand that their role is to help the seed do what it is already determined to do. Good farming practices such as crop rotation, animal manures, green manures, cover crops, mixed cropping, mixed stocking, legumes, crop residues, and season extension have been used for generations, but removing the limiting factors to plant growth and generating a balanced soil fertility are ultimately the secret of success.

There are 22 chapters, each one dealing with an important element of success such as green manures, tillage, direct seeding, transplanting, weeds, pests, harvest, marketing, season extension. In addition there are three appendices on tools, the major vegetable crops and a one-page schematic outline of biological agriculture. If you plan to buy just one book on organic growing, you will find it difficult to beat this book.

well laid out reference manual on organic principles., 26 Oct 2000
As a newcomer to organic agriculture and permaculture practices.I have read several works on the principles of organic agricultural practices but keep coming back to this excellent book.The only drawback I have found in reading it is that it is slightly more biased to the small scale commercial grower.Having said that ,all the points it brings out are relevant to all the organic philosiphies.Once again though it is an invaluable aid and thought provoking piece of work.I would highly recommend it.

A PRIMARY WORK FROM A MASTER, 08 Jul 1999
For over three thousand years there has been a written record of agricultural and horticultural curiosity and creativity. It is a domain of understanding where observation has always been the source of creativity. During that long history there have been many brilliantly creative observers of nature whose passions form the backbone of what we know about growing plants. Eliot Coleman is one of those true masters. He has spent his life applying his enormous, practical curiosity to HOW TO GROW FOOD PLANTS. If you grow vegetables and fruits, for pleasure or for market, you owe it to yourself to sit at the feet of one of the very best.

from Nicholas Lore, best selling author of "THE PATHFINDER: How To Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success"

useful to growers on any scale, 11 Jun 1999
I could not recomend another book more highly. The information in this book is useful to growers on any scale. The chapters on soil preparation and crop rotaion are worth the price alone. I am online right now ordering a copy for my dad as a gift. Enjoy!

Organic Gardening explained both Factually & Philosophically, 14 May 1999
Eliot Coleman has written a masterful treatment of a deeply important subject. Not only does he offer an array of practical, time tested methods to help the reader successfully garden organically, he also tells the reader WHY one would wish to do so.

In response to the above, 20 Nov 2008
Sorry the above felt like this, we, as publishers, felt that the synopsis more than explained that this was not a step by step guide to being self-sufficient but more ancedotal and tongue-in-cheek - the opposite to all the rose tinted glasses stuff about living the good life. Anybody who has read Rosamund's other book, The Secret Life of Cows, will know her to be passionate about what she does and anything but bitter.

One woman's memoirs of life living off the land, 31 Oct 2008
A very interesting read but not full of the practical know-how which I was expecting. The author came across as being very bitter about her life and the 'story' seemed to jump around quite a bit. Not really something you can dip into for advice every now and then.

Very useful reference, 30 Jun 2007
My main source of information - lots of background and explanation but the most useful condensed section at the back - practical and concise info on planting, management, harvest and storing by vegetable type.

The Fat of the Land, 19 Aug 2008
A truly inspirational classic. Everyone should read this book. It has inspired thousands of people to live a little bit lighter on this earth. If you are interested in living off the land or just reading about a family doing it - buy this. You will not be disappointed.

A life-changing read, 08 Feb 2008
This is the book that inspired "The Good Life" TV series, and is a fascinating and wonderful insight into the life of John Seymour as he becomes self-sufficient. It is the most uplifting and entertaining book and I would recommend it to everybody.

multi-purpose calender, 06 Sep 2008
not only will this help you to grow healthier, tastier and stonger fruit, veg and house plants, but once you get the hang of it you can generally predict the weather better than the BBC. Its been spot on for my last 2 holidays in Cornwall and it gets Glastonbury festival right every year.

Subtle agriculture for a world in crisis, 16 Apr 2008
Masanobu Fukuoka defies western or modern agricultural techniques going down to the basics of traditional japanese life. No chemicals and no digging the land for an abundant and long term harvest. Planting with the heart. Mindfulness...
The book and Masanobu himself impressed me and I find myself following his path like that of a guru.

Thought provoking environmental classic., 18 Dec 2000
If you are interested in the food you eat, the way this food is produced, or the environment please read this book. The role of modern science and economics within these topics are discussed in this book using hard facts and philosophy, in an easy to read manner. It may change the way you think. Part of the list price goes to plant trees in India to compensate for the use of pulp in this book!

Wooo!, 07 Oct 2008
When I got off my flight I had to get this sent to me, another hilarious recounting of tales of a smallholder, well done chas

And again!!!, 16 Jan 2008
I read the first and had to buy this. Again, it is a fantastic read. This book gives more detail on how the Author's mind works and thinks. It too is truely inspiring!

Pure Inspiration!, 27 Sep 2007
It has been a long while since I have found myself holding my breath as I read a book, but I found myself doing this many times while reading the story of the young brother and sister Ben and Charlotte Hollins and their right hand girl Sophie Hopkins.

I defy anyone who reads their story not to be moved by it. The total determination and dedication they have shown in order to save a way of life and to preserve and restore the unique setting created by their late Father, organic pioneer Arthur Hollins, should be an inspiration to all.

The book, with alternate chapters written by Ben and Charlotte, not only details their against-all-odds struggle to raise £8000,000 from scratch in order save Fordhall Farm from any development and preserve it for future generations, it also shows a complete and selfless community commitment and gives an insite into the fight for survival that the vast majority of today's farmers face. I would suggest that you invest in a hardback copy of this book, as you will be reading and re-reading it many times over.



People power saves an historic farm for the future, 03 Aug 2007
This book is quite amazing. The story of the Fight to Save Fordhall Farm is told with an enthusiasm and a natural style which makes the reader feel that the authors are sharing their experiences on a personal level. The alternating chapters by Charlotte and Ben Hollins add to this feeling of involvement, and the interest continues throughout, which makes the book very hard to put down.

It is an inspiring story of courage, determination and hope, in the face of what seemed insuperable odds, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. One is left with a feeling of admiration for the success of the campaign, and the on-going progress at the farm and with the Fordhall Community Land Initiative. The farm has now been saved from the threat of development, and a 100-year tenancy agreement has been granted to Ben and Charlotte by the Initiative to give them security for the first time.

This book deserves to become a non-fiction best-seller, and is highly recommended.


Difficult to find a better book than this, 22 Jan 2004
Practical idealists, the Shakers demonstrated that it is possible for man to create the environment and way of life he wants, not by complaining about the system but by building their own domain arranged to their liking. Eliot Coleman, farm manager of the Mountain School Program of Milton Academy in Vershire, Vermont, has demonstrated that it is possible to undertake small-scale, commercial farming and gardening without the use of harmful pesticides by using cost-effective, environmentally sustainable methods to produce spectacular results with economy of effort and means. By offering a wealth of ideas; by identifying the most efficient and practical machinery and tools; by offering simple and efficient production techniques; and advising on the most remunerative marketing methods, this book is for the gardener and small farmer who has an unfulfilled dream to established an organic enterprise with minimal expense. When low cost production methods are allied with the right machinery and marketing practices, the viability of the 1-5 acre farm producing high quality food is not only possible but also enjoyable and profitable.

The advantage enjoyed by the small farmer is quality. If the product is first class and in demand and you are a dependable supplier at reasonable cost there is never a problem finding customers. But it needs hard work and intelligence. When starting in the era of 'get big or get out' there were almost no models of commercially successful organic small farmers to provide inspiration and ideas and where they existed it was exhausting and neither cost effective nor efficient. But by seeking out the best from different parts of the world Coleman found the optimum to be about 2.5 acres per grower - enough to produce quality vegetables for 100 people. Produce from the school farm now set the quality standards for the area. He learned much from Helen and Scott Nearing - they were the most practically organized country people he has met - especially their skills in observation and planning. Coleman sets out the year's work on paper during the winter and has a notebook with sections for each crop. He rotates crops until he finds the optimum - the single most important practice in a multi-cropping program. "The 8-year rotation presented below is a good one to conclude with because it is the one I have followed since 1982. It has been well tested. I have thought about modifying it countless times but never have. Its virtues always seem to outweigh its defects, although that isn't to say it can't be improved. I'm sure it can. But it has been a dependable producer and I offer it here as a tried-and-true example of a successful rotational sequence that incorporates many crop benefits. The goal of this particular rotation is to grow 32 vegetable crops in adequate quantities to feed for a year the community of 60-some people who eat daily in the Mountain School dining hall. Since we have found that we can feed 40 people per acre, the rotation below represents 1.5 acres of land. The salad crops not included here are grown in a separate small salad garden close to the kitchen." However, the author points out that tomatoes do better being grown in the same place each year fertilized by their own waste.

Factors that affect plant growth - light, moisture, temperature, soil fertility, mineral balance, biotic life, weeds, pests, seeds, labor, planning and skill - need to be arranged to the plant's liking with the grower coordinating and combining them into a harmonious whole much like the conductor of an orchestra. Successful farmers understand that their role is to help the seed do what it is already determined to do. Good farming practices such as crop rotation, animal manures, green manures, cover crops, mixed cropping, mixed stocking, legumes, crop residues, and season extension have been used for generations, but removing the limiting factors to plant growth and generating a balanced soil fertility are ultimately the secret of success.

There are 22 chapters, each one dealing with an important element of success such as green manures, tillage, direct seeding, transplanting, weeds, pests, harvest, marketing, season extension. In addition there are three appendices on tools, the major vegetable crops and a one-page schematic outline of biological agriculture. If you plan to buy just one book on organic growing, you will find it difficult to beat this book.

well laid out reference manual on organic principles., 26 Oct 2000
As a newcomer to organic agriculture and permaculture practices.I have read several works on the principles of organic agricultural practices but keep coming back to this excellent book.The only drawback I have found in reading it is that it is slightly more biased to the small scale commercial grower.Having said that ,all the points it brings out are relevant to all the organic philosiphies.Once again though it is an invaluable aid and thought provoking piece of work.I would highly recommend it.

A PRIMARY WORK FROM A MASTER, 08 Jul 1999
For over three thousand years there has been a written record of agricultural and horticultural curiosity and creativity. It is a domain of understanding where observation has always been the source of creativity. During that long history there have been many brilliantly creative observers of nature whose passions form the backbone of what we know about growing plants. Eliot Coleman is one of those true masters. He has spent his life applying his enormous, practical curiosity to HOW TO GROW FOOD PLANTS. If you grow vegetables and fruits, for pleasure or for market, you owe it to yourself to sit at the feet of one of the very best.

from Nicholas Lore, best selling author of "THE PATHFINDER: How To Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success"

useful to growers on any scale, 11 Jun 1999
I could not recomend another book more highly. The information in this book is useful to growers on any scale. The chapters on soil preparation and crop rotaion are worth the price alone. I am online right now ordering a copy for my dad as a gift. Enjoy!

Organic Gardening explained both Factually & Philosophically, 14 May 1999
Eliot Coleman has written a masterful treatment of a deeply important subject. Not only does he offer an array of practical, time tested methods to help the reader successfully garden organically, he also tells the reader WHY one would wish to do so.

In response to the above, 20 Nov 2008
Sorry the above felt like this, we, as publishers, felt that the synopsis more than explained that this was not a step by step guide to being self-sufficient but more ancedotal and tongue-in-cheek - the opposite to all the rose tinted glasses stuff about living the good life. Anybody who has read Rosamund's other book, The Secret Life of Cows, will know her to be passionate about what she does and anything but bitter.

One woman's memoirs of life living off the land, 31 Oct 2008
A very interesting read but not full of the practical know-how which I was expecting. The author came across as being very bitter about her life and the 'story' seemed to jump around quite a bit. Not really something you can dip into for advice every now and then.

Very useful reference, 30 Jun 2007
My main source of information - lots of background and explanation but the most useful condensed section at the back - practical and concise info on planting, management, harvest and storing by vegetable type.

The Fat of the Land, 19 Aug 2008
A truly inspirational classic. Everyone should read this book. It has inspired thousands of people to live a little bit lighter on this earth. If you are interested in living off the land or just reading about a family doing it - buy this. You will not be disappointed.

A life-changing read, 08 Feb 2008
This is the book that inspired "The Good Life" TV series, and is a fascinating and wonderful insight into the life of John Seymour as he becomes self-sufficient. It is the most uplifting and entertaining book and I would recommend it to everybody.

A beautiful and inspiring book..., 31 May 2006
This is a wonderful book - great recipes, lovely photos, and fascinating material about biodynamics, a kind of 'premium organic' farming that is spreading fast. It also has a lot of stuff about food politics and nutrition. But mostly it is full of a good and original selection of recipes. Highly recommended.

multi-purpose calender, 06 Sep 2008
not only will this help you to grow healthier, tastier and stonger fruit, veg and house plants, but once you get the hang of it you can generally predict the weather better than the BBC. Its been spot on for my last 2 holidays in Cornwall and it gets Glastonbury festival right every year.

Subtle agriculture for a world in crisis, 16 Apr 2008
Masanobu Fukuoka defies western or modern agricultural techniques going down to the basics of traditional japanese life. No chemicals and no digging the land for an abundant and long term harvest. Planting with the heart. Mindfulness...
The book and Masanobu himself impressed me and I find myself following his path like that of a guru.

Thought provoking environmental classic., 18 Dec 2000
If you are interested in the food you eat, the way this food is produced, or the environment please read this book. The role of modern science and economics within these topics are discussed in this book using hard facts and philosophy, in an easy to read manner. It may change the way you think. Part of the list price goes to plant trees in India to compensate for the use of pulp in this book!

Wooo!, 07 Oct 2008
When I got off my flight I had to get this sent to me, another hilarious recounting of tales of a smallholder, well done chas

And again!!!, 16 Jan 2008
I read the first and had to buy this. Again, it is a fantastic read. This book gives more detail on how the Author's mind works and thinks. It too is truely inspiring!

Pure Inspiration!, 27 Sep 2007
It has been a long while since I have found myself holding my breath as I read a book, but I found myself doing this many times while reading the story of the young brother and sister Ben and Charlotte Hollins and their right hand girl Sophie Hopkins.

I defy anyone who reads their story not to be moved by it. The total determination and dedication they have shown in order to save a way of life and to preserve and restore the unique setting created by their late Father, organic pioneer Arthur Hollins, should be an inspiration to all.

The book, with alternate chapters written by Ben and Charlotte, not only details their against-all-odds struggle to raise £8000,000 from scratch in order save Fordhall Farm from any development and preserve it for future generations, it also shows a complete and selfless community commitment and gives an insite into the fight for survival that the vast majority of today's farmers face. I would suggest that you invest in a hardback copy of this book, as you will be reading and re-reading it many times over.



People power saves an historic farm for the future, 03 Aug 2007
This book is quite amazing. The story of the Fight to Save Fordhall Farm is told with an enthusiasm and a natural style which makes the reader feel that the authors are sharing their experiences on a personal level. The alternating chapters by Charlotte and Ben Hollins add to this feeling of involvement, and the interest continues throughout, which makes the book very hard to put down.

It is an inspiring story of courage, determination and hope, in the face of what seemed insuperable odds, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. One is left with a feeling of admiration for the success of the campaign, and the on-going progress at the farm and with the Fordhall Community Land Initiative. The farm has now been saved from the threat of development, and a 100-year tenancy agreement has been granted to Ben and Charlotte by the Initiative to give them security for the first time.

This book deserves to become a non-fiction best-seller, and is highly recommended.


Difficult to find a better book than this, 22 Jan 2004
Practical idealists, the Shakers demonstrated that it is possible for man to create the environment and way of life he wants, not by complaining about the system but by building their own domain arranged to their liking. Eliot Coleman, farm manager of the Mountain School Program of Milton Academy in Vershire, Vermont, has demonstrated that it is possible to undertake small-scale, commercial farming and gardening without the use of harmful pesticides by using cost-effective, environmentally sustainable methods to produce spectacular results with economy of effort and means. By offering a wealth of ideas; by identifying the most efficient and practical machinery and tools; by offering simple and efficient production techniques; and advising on the most remunerative marketing methods, this book is for the gardener and small farmer who has an unfulfilled dream to established an organic enterprise with minimal expense. When low cost production methods are allied with the right machinery and marketing practices, the viability of the 1-5 acre farm producing high quality food is not only possible but also enjoyable and profitable.

The advantage enjoyed by the small farmer is quality. If the product is first class and in demand and you are a dependable supplier at reasonable cost there is never a problem finding customers. But it needs hard work and intelligence. When starting in the era of 'get big or get out' there were almost no models of commercially successful organic small farmers to provide inspiration and ideas and where they existed it was exhausting and neither cost effective nor efficient. But by seeking out the best from different parts of the world Coleman found the optimum to be about 2.5 acres per grower - enough to produce quality vegetables for 100 people. Produce from the school farm now set the quality standards for the area. He learned much from Helen and Scott Nearing - they were the most practically organized country people he has met - especially their skills in observation and planning. Coleman sets out the year's work on paper during the winter and has a notebook with sections for each crop. He rotates crops until he finds the optimum - the single most important practice in a multi-cropping program. "The 8-year rotation presented below is a good one to conclude with because it is the one I have followed since 1982. It has been well tested. I have thought about modifying it countless times but never have. Its virtues always seem to outweigh its defects, although that isn't to say it can't be improved. I'm sure it can. But it has been a dependable producer and I offer it here as a tried-and-true example of a successful rotational sequence that incorporates many crop benefits. The goal of this particular rotation is to grow 32 vegetable crops in adequate quantities to feed for a year the community of 60-some people who eat daily in the Mountain School dining hall. Since we have found that we can feed 40 people per acre, the rotation below represents 1.5 acres of land. The salad crops not included here are grown in a separate small salad garden close to the kitchen." However, the author points out that tomatoes do better being grown in the same place each year fertilized by their own waste.

Factors that affect plant growth - light, moisture, temperature, soil fertility, mineral balance, biotic life, weeds, pests, seeds, labor, planning and skill - need to be arranged to the plant's liking with the grower coordinating and combining them into a harmonious whole much like the conductor of an orchestra. Successful farmers understand that their role is to help the seed do what it is already determined to do. Good farming practices such as crop rotation, animal manures, green manures, cover crops, mixed cropping, mixed stocking, legumes, crop residues, and season extension have been used for generations, but removing the limiting factors to plant growth and generating a balanced soil fertility are ultimately the secret of success.

There are 22 chapters, each one dealing with an important element of success such as green manures, tillage, direct seeding, transplanting, weeds, pests, harvest, marketing, season extension. In addition there are three appendices on tools, the major vegetable crops and a one-page schematic outline of biological agriculture. If you plan to buy just one book on organic growing, you will find it difficult to beat this book.

well laid out reference manual on organic principles., 26 Oct 2000
As a newcomer to organic agriculture and permaculture practices.I have read several works on the principles of organic agricultural practices but keep coming back to this excellent book.The only drawback I have found in reading it is that it is slightly more biased to the small scale commercial grower.Having said that ,all the points it brings out are relevant to all the organic philosiphies.Once again though it is an invaluable aid and thought provoking piece of work.I would highly recommend it.

A PRIMARY WORK FROM A MASTER, 08 Jul 1999
For over three thousand years there has been a written record of agricultural and horticultural curiosity and creativity. It is a domain of understanding where observation has always been the source of creativity. During that long history there have been many brilliantly creative observers of nature whose passions form the backbone of what we know about growing plants. Eliot Coleman is one of those true masters. He has spent his life applying his enormous, practical curiosity to HOW TO GROW FOOD PLANTS. If you grow vegetables and fruits, for pleasure or for market, you owe it to yourself to sit at the feet of one of the very best.

from Nicholas Lore, best selling author of "THE PATHFINDER: How To Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success"

useful to growers on any scale, 11 Jun 1999
I could not recomend another book more highly. The information in this book is useful to growers on any scale. The chapters on soil preparation and crop rotaion are worth the price alone. I am online right now ordering a copy for my dad as a gift. Enjoy!

Organic Gardening explained both Factually & Philosophically, 14 May 1999
Eliot Coleman has written a masterful treatment of a deeply important subject. Not only does he offer an array of practical, time tested methods to help the reader successfully garden organically, he also tells the reader WHY one would wish to do so.

In response to the above, 20 Nov 2008
Sorry the above felt like this, we, as publishers, felt that the synopsis more than explained that this was not a step by step guide to being self-sufficient but more ancedotal and tongue-in-cheek - the opposite to all the rose tinted glasses stuff about living the good life. Anybody who has read Rosamund's other book, The Secret Life of Cows, will know her to be passionate about what she does and anything but bitter.

One woman's memoirs of life living off the land, 31 Oct 2008
A very interesting read but not full of the practical know-how which I was expecting. The author came across as being very bitter about her life and the 'story' seemed to jump around quite a bit. Not really something you can dip into for advice every now and then.

Very useful reference, 30 Jun 2007
My main source of information - lots of background and explanation but the most useful condensed section at the back - practical and concise info on planting, management, harvest and storing by vegetable type.

The Fat of the Land, 19 Aug 2008
A truly inspirational classic. Everyone should read this book. It has inspired thousands of people to live a little bit lighter on this earth. If you are interested in living off the land or just reading about a family doing it - buy this. You will not be disappointed.

A life-changing read, 08 Feb 2008
This is the book that inspired "The Good Life" TV series, and is a fascinating and wonderful insight into the life of John Seymour as he becomes self-sufficient. It is the most uplifting and entertaining book and I would recommend it to everybody.

A beautiful and inspiring book..., 31 May 2006
This is a wonderful book - great recipes, lovely photos, and fascinating material about biodynamics, a kind of 'premium organic' farming that is spreading fast. It also has a lot of stuff about food politics and nutrition. But mostly it is full of a good and original selection of recipes. Highly recommended.

From the Perspective of an Organic Market Gardener, 31 Aug 2008
Visitors to our vegetable plot this season often remark about how clean the crops look, and my reply is, " you are right, you won't find any weeds here mate ", which of course is not strictly true. It does however show that after 21 years of growing here at Longmeadow we have learnt how to keep on top of the little blighters before they start to affect the crops and set seed. Our weed tolerance is low, but after years of looking at other people's organic vegetable holdings, I have noted that everybody seems to have a different level of tolerance. This is not only due to the grower's perennial problem of lack of time during the main growing season to keep on top of everything. Lack of experience, particularly when starting out is another major factor, and this book has a lot of very useful information to help with this. If only it was around when Patsy and I started out! It must be said that like many things, there is no substitute for hands-on experience in the field.

After the introduction that addresses the principles of weed management on organic farms, the next chapter covers ways in which farmers and growers can prevent weed problems arising through crop planning and rotations. It give a whole range of options, examples being, fertility building leys, break crops, cover crops, living mulches, intercropping, under sowing and fallowing. Seed rates, crop spacing, primary, secondry and tertiary tillage are also discussed. Quite a lengthy chapter follows on direct weed control, with all the latest information on the never-ending variety of mechanical and flame weeders, although I think that there could have been more coverage of the latter. This of course begs the question whether any book covering such a wide range of subjects can go into sufficient detail on all the topics. I think not, so keep sending those articles into the OGA journal!

The economics of weed management follows this, the information given being particularly useful for larger growers and farmers. I must add that we have never lost or given up on a crop because of the effort and cost of weeding it , although we are relatively small growers. There is a short bit on the environmental cost and carbon foot print of weeding, (again this needs covering in greater depth), one of the examples given is the energy use in flame weeding and inter-row work in carrots that uses twice the MJ/ha that conventional herbicide treatment uses! On the other hand this ratio is reversed for farmers comb weeding winter wheat compared to conventional spraying.

The chapter, by far the longest in the book, describing the weeds in their different categories in some detail, for me was the most fascinating. For instance, the fact that, a single plant one of our two most prominent weeds, Prickly Sow-Thistle, (the other being Groundsel), can shed between 20 and 60000 seeds that can emerge from March to November. This makes me break out into a cold sweat, and coupled with the fact that it is such a bastard to get out the ground once rooted, you can appreciate just what we are all up against! With groundsel, the book rightly points out as I have found from experience, that after the two leaf stage, the seedlings are tolerant of flame weeding.

The book ends with specific weed management strategies for different systems and crops and for growers the main field vegetable crops are covered. In conclusion I would like to say, given the subject matter, how readable, well laid out and succinct the book is. Highly recommended.