 2008-08-02 - Self obsessed author who talks down to his readers
I would give this book zero stars if I could. I am so surprised this book has such high ratings. First, the author can not stop himself from talking down to his readers, and making himself appear as he is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Half the book is about how great he is and how "Everybody Else" is stupid and worthless. This is the most negative book on gardening I have ever read. I do not recommend this book at all.
 2008-08-01 - The only gardening book you need
I've read so many gardening books, but this is the only one you really need. It is full of useful information you'll never see anywhere else. However, much of the important information is buried in the narrative and is not easy to find again, so mark those pages as you read.
2008-07-27 - Good Info.
Gardening When It Counts: Growing Food in Hard Times (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series)Good information. Easy to read. Glad I purchased this book
 2008-07-27 - Beginner's organic gardening book
I bought this book because of the title "Growing Food in Hard Times" when I was obsessed with peak oil. The author discusses hard times very briefly and the main part of the book is low intensive organic gardening.
My gardens before I got this book were pathetic low yield failures, except for tomatoes. I used only transplants and did nothing to the soil. Once I got the book I learned about complete organic fertilizer, seed planting and planting times, DIY transplants, vegetable descriptions, and a whole lot of other bits of useful information. Half of the growing season is over and I am up to my ears in beets, sweet snap peas, carrots, kohlrabi and cucumbers all planted by seed. Each of these vegetables is much better tasting than anything I can get at the grocery store.
Without the information in this book I would have had another worthless garden, so I recommend this book to the beginner gardener. There are two things about this book that need addressed though. The book doesn't have any color pictures of the different vegetables that are described, so get a free seed catalog:
http://gurneys.com/catalog_request_qas.asp
http://www.burpee.com/ancillary/catalogrequest.do
Also the Author describes some vegetables as being difficult to grow, such as kohlrabi. This wasn't the case in my experience as the kohlrabi was rather easy to grow, so don't decide not to grow something just because the author says it is difficult.
2008-07-05 - Just what I needed!
Only a few pages into this book I realized I needed to read it before continuing with my gardening plans.
I am thrilled to have the good solid advice. For me, I treasured the relearning of the things my father taught me so many years ago. Digging the garden, fertilizing the soil, using coffee grounds and how to weed were only vague memories which had been over-written by today's easy methods and equipment. Steve Solomon's words brought all the old learning back to my mind and provided so much more. I can't thank him enough and I highly recommend this book. The advice, techniques and subjects covered are of special importance for anyone interested in insuring their food source is available and safe.
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