Chelsea Green Publishing Co The Ecological Farm: A Minimalist No-Till, No-Spray, Selective-Weeding, Grow-Your-Own-Fertilizer System for Organic Agriculture

As a data nerd, this book was perfect. Helen's garden principals are based on research papers as well as years of experiments she has run. I really appreciate that she has farmed under a variety of paradigms, which gives her a very broad perspective on farming. There are things to learn from all growing systems.I believe we are still in the early innings of understanding all of the complex biological relationships that go into gardening. Helen's book really highlights the idea of having "strong opinions that are loosely held." She does not claim to have "solved" organic farming. In fact, she states multiple times that her knowledge of gardening is still evolving. Instead of providing a one size fits all program, she provides a set of principles to consider as you run your own gardening experiment.The book is divided into two sections. The first part describes the gardening principles she and her husband have developed. The second part is a reference manual for growing a variety of crops and how to manage their associated pests/diseases. I really like this format.

This book has not disapoint! The references in here are invaluable. The years of log keeping and research she has done to give us this compendium makes it incredible.I have learned so much about carbon harvesting and working WITH my ecosystem for farm health.

great information in this book! Going to put some of her ideas in my garden this year

What sets this book apart is the author’s ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice. She effortlessly explains complex concepts, such as crop rotation, composting, and natural pest management, in a way that is accessible and easy to grasp. The author describes experiences and experiments that have helped me personally gain a clearer understanding of how regenerative farming practices can contribute to healthier ecosystems and more abundant harvests. The visuals in the book are stunning. The included photographs act as both visual aids and a testament to incredible transformations that can occur when nature is allowed to flourish in harmony with human intervention. I will reference this book for many years and I am happy to have it in my personal library.

I have a lot of these type books. However, most of them are a mile wide and an inch deep. This book on the other hand is actually quite helpful. Also, quite readable. At times, it even flips into being a joy to read. She knows her stuff and her passion overflows everywhere.I do recommend it, especially to beginners and those who are getting into or transitioning into regenerative farming/gardening.