Review: Edible Landscaping with a Permaculture Twist.
Title: Edible Landscaping with a Permaculture Twist
Author: Michael Judd
Publisher: Chelsea Green
Release Date: November, 2013
It’s remarkable how much information this slim paperback carries. It doesn’t try to teach all the basics of gardening and landscaping, but instead focuses on several projects: an herb spiral, a food forest, swales and hugelkulture, and an earthen oven, along with instructions on growing mushrooms and unusual fruits. Each is copiously illustrated with clear drawings and photographs. These are perhaps the best part of this book, as they convey the lighthearted tone of the text, while clearly showing whatever techniques or products they illustrate. My favorite photo is the little boy on the front cover, proudly displaying a container of berries, and his purple tongue. My favorite drawing is the mushroom man dancing with the tomato lady, a metaphoric illustration of the symbiotic nature of mycorrhiza (mycelium interacting with plant roots).
Judd mentions drinking good beer, and presents recipes for mixed drinks and wine from one’s own fruit, mentioning alcoholic libations so many times that he feels compelled to offer a disclaimer at the end protesting that he’s not actually an alcoholic. I don’t really know but I think most actual boozehounds fasten on one drink and show no interest in others—for them it’s not about the flavor. In any case, this gives you an idea of the fun-loving approach of this book.
…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…
