5 comments about Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability.

1. I read this book and could see how this thinking about use and re-use, planning and observing will help not just my garden but my life. Really useful examples of each principle and in depth discussion of what they mean, how they can be applied in lots of cases.



2. This is a philosophical treatise on the underpinnings of permaculture. Not a gardening book as such, altho examples of gardening and landscaping are used to illustrate the theories. I found it enjoyable, but not light reading. I would reccommend it, if you have an intellectual craving for deep ecological understanding.



3. Reading this book, although in the beginning a bit of a dense and sluggish read, was a major pivotal moment for me. Holmgren presents a visionary perspective and context of humanity's position, provides profound and thought provoking discourse on the underlying philosophies and patterns of permaculture design, and projects an image of an inspiring future and a path to get there with confidence.
   
   Once I got to the second half of the book, the pace picked up and I felt positively engaged right through to the end. It has supplied me with valuable tools and concepts which I use and refer to almost daily, as I am confronted by the bull-headed, sometimes irrational, sometimes blatantly parasitic structures humanity has surrounded itself with.
   
   But Homgren's greatest gift to me, from the end of the book, was his argument for not needing to denigrate our forebears' roles in the situation we find ourselves in today; especially as permaculture design provides us with some of the key tools of thought that will empower us in todays times of monstrous change. This really helped me to release any stress I was creating around blame, freeing up that mental space to be employed in creative problem solving.



4. In purchasing this book, I'd hoped to start learning the strategies and techniques for transforming a piece land into an environmentally sustainable legacy for future generations. Perhaps, I misunderstood the book's description when it specified that it would teach me the foundations of permaculture design and the 12 permaculture design principles.
   
   Instead of providing a useful guide to designing a more sustainable environment for someone who wants to change their lifestyle for their own philosophical and ethical beliefs, the book takes one on 277 page New Age ramble. Rather than offering sound scientific reasons why permaculture offers a reasonable path through climate change and likely energy declines, the author offers platitudes and dubious claims.
   
   I was bounced from preferences for traditional cultures (never mind traditions like female circumcision or traditional building methods that collapse in earthquakes) to citations of Hari Krishna practices as something to emulate to anti-patriarchal graphs and ending with a profound sense of disappointment. Yes, Mr. Holmgren, you can be a male Western scientific materialist and still want to create a sustainable environment and society for your children.



5. Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability
   
   I found this book incredibly hard to read.
   
   I couldn't wrap my head around Holmgren's style of prose, and the layout and ideas in this book. It is wordy, meandering, and confusing - and I found myself lost in chapter after chapter as Holmgren's explanations went way over my head, leaving me confused and befuddled. This would not be a good introduction to permaculture, and no good at all as a teaching book or textbook.
   
   I wish I could have given this book a higher rating than two stars, but I simply wouldn't recommend it to any but the diehard permaculture enthusiast who feels s/he must have every book on the subject in her/his possession.
   
   I feel that Holmgren has somehow missed the simplicity of permaculture and become bogged down in unnecessary complexity, taking his readers with him. He presents a neat little set of diagrams, but I lost touch with what to do with them early on, and it was all downhill from there. Maybe the book improved towards the end, but as I never finished it I shall never know. Which is a shame.
   
   Holmgren has done wonderful work in the field of permaculture and sustainability. His record in the field is commendable. I feel sad I can't recommend this book. I hope his next venture is more readable.
   
   From now on, I'll stick with Mollison (the father and founder of permaculture) whose books I have found to be all incredibly readable, intelligent, and action-provoking.

No comments about The Organic Gardener.

No comments about Weeds (Gaia Organic Basics).

No comments about Red Lights and Green Lizards: A Cambodian Adventure.

5 comments about Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perennials.

1. the book is very informative easy to read and helps you to make wise choises for your perennial flower beds



2. I fell in love with the idea of beginning a perennial garden. The main part of it was to consist of groundcoverings as a lawn substitute. This book is lousy in that area... as a matter of fact it does not have a section that discuss, or even address groundcoverings. They are a significant part of perennials. The sample gardens were okay but I need a more thorough plan. I wanted to use the groundcovering and plant other gorgeous perennials around it.. with an emphasis on shaded areas. I instead hit the internet HARD. I was up all night sometimes researching shaded plants, preparing yard, planting and shaded garden ideas.
   
   The best resource is still the internet. It just takes a lot of patience. Oh I have a secret....instead of ordering from Jackson & Perkins and other fancy nurseries look at ebay. Yes EBAY!!!. After buying hundreds of dollars worth of vinca minor (periwinkle) plants I decided that it would cost a fortune to cover my yard. Don't forget I wanted to add Hostas, and other perennials etc. around the perimeter. When I plugged in the word "vinca minor" a lot of nurseries/stores that advertise on Ebay popped up. No they weren't necessarily biddable but to buy them was a dream. I ended buying 500 semi roots (with the root and some of the atual plant attached- fresh out the earth) for about $26.00. You heard me $26.00. I have a total different appreciation for Ebay now.
   
   Back to the book. Its okay, but I wasn't that thrilled. A better book was "Jackson & Perkins- Selecting, Growing and Combining Outstanding Perennials". Plus Borderes had it for $2.99 ( I mistakenly ended up buying 2 because I got so happy .lol) Another great book is "Gardeners Problem Solver, by Readers Digest". But the interesting thing is the book titled: "Botanica's Pocket Annuals & Perennials ---over 1000 pages & over 2000 plants listed" looked pretty much the same as Rodales.
   
   The only thing they said about vinca minor was not to plant it. This is not true. If you want a solid groundcovering that can withstand foot traffic, shaded areas, and trees with roots that grow outward then this plant is for you. Its not enough to say "don't plant". Tell the whole story, it would have taken a sentence or two. That "don't plant" groundcovering is one of the fastest and most ordered perennials. I wonder why that is... it and other "steppable" groundcovers or even an explanation of a perennial groundcovering would have been nice. SHAME ON YOU RODALES'S.
   
   Do as you wish, but beware. Enjoy your garden.



3. I purchased this for my wife. She had checked out an older edition from the public library and liked it a lot. She has been reading it at every free moment since it arrived and said it is the best book she's ever had on perennial gardening.



4. Highly recommended reference for both novice and long-time perennial gardeners! I like the alphabetical listing of plants (with pronunciation guide) and also appreciate suggestions for companion plantings.



5. I love references with great info, tips, and I love pictures. That's a big seller for me. Quality pictures with cultivar descriptions. This book delivers. It is one of my favorite perennial reference guides. I refer to it all the time. Inspirational pictures.

No comments about Organic Gardening (Botanica's Pocket).

No comments about Farmers of Forty Centuries: Or Permanent Agriculture in China, Korea and Japan.

No comments about Compost (Gaia Organic Basics).

2 comments about Rebirth of the Small Family Farm: A Handbook for Starting a Successful Organic Farm Based on the Concepts of Community Supported Agriculture.

1. The Gregsons came from an urban life out to make a small farm. Through many trials and errors (which they humbly share) they have found a successful formula for earning a sustainable income from a few acres. This is a must read for anyone considering a CSA farm.



2. The Gregson's passion for both organic farming and community supported agriculture is evident throughout the book. Best of all, they don't try to gloss over the less pleasant aspects of growing organically for a living. Anyone even dreaming about small scale farming will benefit from their experiences and examples.

No comments about The Biodynamic Sowing and Planting Calendar 2006 (Calendar).