I am just curious what books people recommend around here. I have a good general book but not really about permaculture specifically.
The Self-Sufficient Life and how to live it. by John Seymour.
I am looking for great books about techniques covered in these forums. I am interested in books on crafts (woodworking, soap, candles, pottery, etc.), woodlot care, companion planting, animal care (rotating pastures like Joel Salatin).
I have the following in my wish list on Amazon;
The One-Straw Revolution - Masanobu Fukoka
Four-Season Harvest - Eliot Coleman
Gaia's Garden - Toby Hemenway
Permaculture: A designers manual - Bill Mollison
I'm reading volume 2 of "Edible Forest Gardens" by Dave Jacke. I also finished reading "Root Cellering" by Mike and Nancy Bubel over the winter. It has a lot of great information in it about what crops to plant when and how to get them to last longer past the growing season, recipes, and other things. I also have a water storage book and several books on making just about anything from scratch. I would like to get "Gaia's Garden" and Bill Mollison's permaculture book, but those will be in the distant future.
I just received Jo Robbinson's 'Pasture Perfect'.
PIG PERFECT, Peter Kaminsky, 2005
Haven't read it yet because it isn't yet released, but i've pre-ordered: The Good Food Revolution http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781592407101
Allan Laal wrote:any good book recommendations about ponds/dams and other permaculturish water features?
For permaculture style earthworks, I don't think anything can trump Brad Lancaster's series:
"Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond".
It is a three volume set (books sold individually...you don't need to buy all 3 volumes). Volume 1 deals with the principles of retaining, and utilizing water on your property. Vol. 2 is the nuts-and-bolts of constructing earthworks. A lot of Vol. 1 is duplicated here. Vol. 1 currently sells for $30-50 per copy, but a 2nd edition is in the works, and it can be pre-ordered for about $21. Don't buy the older, more expensive copy unless you NEED that info TODAY (2nd edition is bound to have updated info). Vol. 2 covers a lot of what is in Vol.1, but vol.1 has a lot of detail that is priceless for understanding the entire process. Volume 3 (which I have never seen/read) deals primarily with roof catchment and cisterns. Tons of plans and info exist for free around the www on the subject.
Bottom line: Unless you live in a rain forest, at least get Volume 2 (it could even benefit you in a rain forest).
Brad Lancaster lives (and grows) in Tuscon, AZ, yet less than 20% of the water his family uses comes through the meter.
Post by:autobot
Without subsidies, chem-ag food costs four times more than organic. Or this tiny ad: