The Self-Fed Farm and Garden: A Return to the Roots of the Organic Method

Organic farmer Coleman (The Winter Harvest Handbook) provides an enlightening manual for sustainably growing food without synthetic chemicals. His “self-fed” method allows gardeners to maintain soil fertility without purchasing outside manure or compost, which, he explains, can contain residual contaminants like pesticides, antibiotics, and heavy metals. Inspired by 20th century farmers like Edward H. Faulkner, Coleman details organic practices he implements at his Four Season Farm in Maine, such as growing green manure crops—including grasses and legumes—and tilling them into the soil to enhance fertility, as well as rotating crops to manage weeds and prevent plant disease. The methods are illuminated in full-page photographs, and a helpful glossary defines terms like “cover crops” and “shallow incorporation.” Whether one is cultivating a modest home garden or managing an expansive farm, Coleman presents a wealth of useful information—from the amount of buckwheat manure to sow to control weeds to the optimal schedule and weather conditions for applying organic matter to crops. The result is a valuable tool for mastering soil sustainability and producing a healthy harvest. Photos. (Nov.)