What To Garden In Hard Times – Part V

What To Garden In Hard Times, from “The Holistic Garden For Small Spaces” by ClintonR. Kraft, Part V – Chapters Three & Four With Epilogue: Review, Commentary and Conclusion

Chapter Three – More Musing On Plants: Here are a few of the chapter’s high points:

• “Indicator Plants: … rather than fighting Nature, select plants that inherently do well on your soil classification.”
• “Seed Saving; There are a number of fairly complicated seed saving techniques — … .
• However, humans had been saving seed for thousands of years before the advent of refrigeration and high tech accessories. … Seeds have two requirements, they should be cool and dry, with emphasis on dry.’
• “Crop Rotation:  … in early 1700’s England, the modern four-field rotation pattern emerged where turnips, clover, wheat, and another grain were rotated continuously with no fallow fields (Sabin 15).
• There are as many rotation schemes as there are farmers; however, it is imperative that each of us discover what works for us.”

Chapter Four: Beyond Plants In The Holistic Garden: Here are a couple of the chapter’s key points:

• “Animals: … By necessity the holistic garden must focus on those animal resources. If desired, that yield their premium bounty in the smallest of spaces.
• Easily the most practical choice of animal for the vast majority of holistic gardens is the chicken. … Six hens can supply an abundance of protein in eggs alone.
• It should be mentioned that animals, except for the microscopic, are not a necessity in a holistic garden. Ultimately, all higher animals depend on plants, not the other way around.”
• “Tools: … Number one, for me is a good, sturdy long-handeled spade shovel.
• After the shovel, I use a garden trowel more than any other tool. A common garden rake, … A good pruner … a sickle … .”
• “Soil & Health: … Every great civilization has slid into oblivion when it has undermined its indigenous food source and tried to rely on imports. … Each civilization tends to believe it is immune from the basic laws of economics.
• There are two worrisome trends that should be on everyone’s minds. One trend is that the human population is increasing each and every year. The other is that the arable land on this planet is decreasing every year.”

Epilogue: ‘If we continue far enough back in time, we eventually will reach th key element that all our modern civilization rests upon, the invention of agriculture.”

Conclusion: Mr. Kraft’s small book is a valuable survey and primer for the growing of some of the most nutritious plants (and animals) available within a small space.  There aren’t many books available today that concentrate on both of these critical aspects of preparedness gardening.

It should be in your home library for these reasons and because of its modest price: $5.95 + shipping from the Bountiful Gardens 2009 Catalog (Item # BGE – 1330) at:

Tel: (707) 459 – 6410

Web Site: www.bountifulgardens.org

Until next time; keep your eyes on the horizon as the weathers changing fast.