anyone read this book? came across it and the guys blog and a article in the nyt on them
How we did it and the challenges along the way.
When Jonathan Bates and I moved into a duplex in a run-down part of Holyoke, Massachusetts, the tenth-of-an-acre lot was barren ground and bad soil, peppered with broken pieces of concrete, asphalt, and brick. We got to work designing what would become not just another urban farm, but a permaculture paradise replete with perennial broccoli, paw paws, bananas, and moringaall told, more than two hundred low-maintenance edible plants in an innovative food forest on a small city lot. The gardenintended to function like a natural ecosystem with the plants themselves providing most of the gardens needs for fertility, pest control, and weed suppressionalso features an edible water garden, a year-round unheated greenhouse, tropical crops, urban poultry, and even silkworms.
In telling the story of Paradise Lot, Jonathan and I explain the principles and practices of permaculture, the choice of exotic and unusual food plants, the techniques of design and cultivation, and, of course, the adventures, mistakes, and do-overs in the process. Packed full of detailed, useful information about designing a highly productive permaculture garden, Paradise Lot is also a funny and charming story of two single guys, both plant nerds, with a wild plan: to realize the garden of our dreams and meet women to share it with. Amazingly, on both counts, weve succeeded
20 Feb ’12
My girlfriend just finished it and I am about 1/3 of the way into it. It has to go back to the library on the 19th so I won't get to finish it. If it is a popular book that other people are waiting for you only get one borrow to read it and then it has to go back. Not enough time for both of us to read it in three weeks!
He also has a video series we borrowed from the library as well where he goes through permaculture designs in Mass, Florida, and Mexico.
I like his work because it is so hard to find a cold climate permaculture specialist. His knowledge of plants is amazing, and a lot of it is applicable to my climate.
Having said all that the book (based on how far I have gotten) is sort of a memoir where he talks about the house at Holyoke, and the relevant things that lead up to that period in time. There is not much technical detail on his design, or the guilds he uses, etc, but I think some of his other books go into that level of detail.
A good read so far and a nice story that brings hope to the hearts of cold climate permaculturalists!
3 Nov ’12
Literally heard about this book yesterday! I think the author was the co-writer of Dave Jacke's Edible Forest Garden series or was involved with them in some way. Was going to try to find it and see if the wife will get it for me for Christmas (along with Ben Falk's The Resilient Farm and Homestead)
From what I understand they're actually growing banana trees in a microclimate in Massachussets. Even though they're not fruiting, it's still an amazing feat!
20 Feb ’12
I think you are right with the banana trees. He touched on it in the book and I think it was banana, but an interesting cultivar. Definitely not fruiting unfortunately.
If you want to get their books or DVDs head here: http://www.perennial.....capes.html
Here are the trees in the front yard.
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