Customer Reviews

A common thread throughout the book is the balance of sensible, practical suggestions with a wealth of background facts and data. Review by Malcolm New

Review

Patrick Whitefield has succeeded in writing an enjoyable and timely book which will appeal to anyone who yearns to produce food sustainably. Organic gardeners, permaculture designers and growers, ecologists and conservationists will love it. It covers all aspects of designing, planting and maintaining a forest garden; details useful and less obvious plants, from fruit trees to mushrooms; creating home-grown biological resources; controlling pests organically; mulching and no-dig methods. A common thread throughout the book is the balance of sensible, practical suggestions with a wealth of background facts and data. It is both a manual of forest gardening and an important text for permaculture in temperate climates. (Posted on 30/06/2010)

This book is inspirational and practical. Review by Alan Smith

Review

This book is inspirational and practical. It shows how to create an ecosystem of food-producing plants, whether you have a large garden or a few yards of spare ground. The plants are arranged to replicate a woodland or forest environment, with the emphasis on low-maintainance and production of food (fruit, nuts, vegetables) throughout the year. The first chapter considers the environmental philosophy of this type of gardening. Subsequent chapters cover the plant types suitable for the UK, divided into categories of trees, shrubs and ground-layer plants. Each plant type is described in a very readable manner, with details such as basic growing requirements (soil, light, water), eventual size and yield. Although familiar plants such as rhubarb, raspberries, apples, plums are described, less common but equally viable varieties such as medlar and quince, even kiwis, are treated in equal detail. (Posted on 30/06/2010)