On the reading table for consumption this weekend are two books on permaculture and perennial vegetable growing:-
- The Earth Care Manual – a permaculture manual for Britain and other temperate climates by Patrick Whitefield
- How to grow perennial vegetables – low maintenance, low impact vegetable gardening by Martin Crawford
The first is a book on permaculture in Britain and other temperate zones. It’s said to be the definitive manual on the practical application of permaculture principles to our islands, written passionately and compellingly by an author who has been an exponent of the permaculture movement since 1990.
As I am a firm believer in permaculture as a movement, I am very much looking forward to this as a read.
The second was inspired by another blogger who posts on perennial vegetables, which sounded like such a wonderful and practical idea that I just had to know more.
Perennial vegetables are those that don’t need replanting annually, but last at least three years in the soil, and in many cases many years more. It contains over 100 perennial vegetables, from the commonplace to some that I have never heard of, with tips on how to source seeds, how to grow them, and recipes for their use.
It looks fascinating, and a quick browse has shown me how many plants I hadn’t even heard about, let alone realised that they were edible and worthy of cultivation!
Let the gales blow and the rain lash the windows this weekend. I will be tucked up on the sofa with these two lovelies and a mug of tea.
Ravencroft Skye 