Edible Forest Gardens, Vol. 1: Ecological Vision and Theory for Temperate Climate Permaculture: Dave Jacke, Eric Toensmeier: 9781931498791: Amazon.com: Books
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Edible Forest Gardens, Vol. 1: Ecological Vision and Theory for Temperate Climate Permaculture Hardcover – August 30, 2005
by Dave Jacke (Author), Eric Toensmeier (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 75 customer reviews
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Editorial Reviews
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Bookwatch-
Don't expect the usual light gardening guide reading, Volume 1 of Edible Forest Gardens: Ecological Vision and Theory for Temperate Climate Permaculturepacks in serious surveys of the ancient practice of forest gardening, which offers homeowners and gardeners a new way of viewing modern home landscaping and nature. Useful plants can be blended to supply daily needs, the land can be 'untamed' to return support to healthy populations of plant and animal species. Years of experience goes into Edible Forest Gardens; this first volume provides a review of the ecological and cultural foundations for recognizing forest gardening as a viable ecological alternative in modern North America. Dave Jacke runs his own ecological design firm consulting on permaculture and landscapes around the world; his co-author Eric Toensmeier founded the former Perennial Vegetable Seed Company and has worked with the New England Small Farm Institute. A highly recommended pick; especially for college-level and serious collections on permaculture and horticulture.
Plants and Gardens News--Patricia Jonas, Brooklyn Botanic Garden-
But even if you grow enough organic food to feed yourself, are you doing what's best for the ecosystem? "Many drawbacks of modern agriculture persist in organic farming and gardening," Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier write in Edible Forest Gardens, because they do not "mimic the structure of natural systems, only selected functions." Even Quail Hill Farm members are still harvesting mostly annual crops grown in plowed fields. Jacke and Toensmeier offer a radical vision for stepping out of the conceptual continuum of conventional agriculture and organic farming. They point to the productivity of temperate forests--which is twice that of agricultural land in terms of net calories--and take that as their design model. Building on Robert Hart's classic book, Forest Gardening, and incorporating permaculture practice, Jacke and Toensmeier propose a garden where many species of edible perennial plants are grown together in a design that mimics forest structure and function.
Edible Forest Gardens is an ambitious two-volume work whose influence should extend well beyond ecologists and permaculturists and, in the best of all outcomes, reach into the mainstream. Volume one lays out the "Ecological Vision and Theory for Temperate Climate Permaculture," and it also includes a very useful analysis of existing forest gardens (one only 50 by 90 feet) and a tantalizing 30-page appendix of "top 100" species.
As of this writing, volume two, which focuses on practical design and maintenance considerations, is just being released, but on the evidence of volume one, I have no doubt the set will be an indispensable reference for gardeners and farmers for decades.
"When people have food gardens," the authors write, "they usually are tucked out of sight and out of view of the neighbors. They rely on external inputs of energy, nutrients, insect and disease controls, and water and are based primarily on annual plants. For some reason, growing food is considered unsightly, unseemly, possibly antisocial, and in some towns and cities, illegal! The tremendous infrastructure we have built in our cities and towns reflects a culture and horticulture of separation and isolation." The consequences of such attitudes about growing food have been disastrous, and each of us can contribute to the repair effort. Jacke and Toensmeier say that the principles of forest gardening can be applied even in a tiny urban yard or on a rooftop. Containers of edible perennials and annuals on a rooftop are not most farmers' idea of agriculture, but I grow nearly 20 percent of the authors' top 100 species and intend to look for ways to take this small start much further.
And what about chocolate and oranges? Clearly there are foods that cannot be grown in a temperate forest. "We do not expect forest gardening to replace regular gardening or the foods we know and love," the authors admit. "Just how far we can take forest gardening in supplying food for ourselves is not yet determined." Finding the answer may be the most optimistic work gardeners and farmers can do.
"These will be the benchmark works in the field for many years. The level of scholarship and meticulous footnoting is unsurpassed by anything I've seen in permaculture literature."--Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia's Garden
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From the Publisher
"...But the book I will be keeping by me for the seasons ahead... is Edible Forest Gardens by Dave Jacke with Eric Toensmeier. In its way this book--the first of two volumes--is a sequel to the wonderful Tree Crops: A Permanent Agriculture (1929) by J. Russell Smith.... Edible Forest Gardens offers a vision of the garden that reaches well beneath its aesthetic surface and into its ecological depths. It reminds us that whatever gardens are an oasis from, they can never be an oasis from the natural world or our own underlying economic needs." --Verlyn Klinkenborg The New York Times Book Review June 5, 2005
"This is certainly the most thorough and realistic assessment of the potential for temperate perennial-based gardening that I have seen -- and I've read everything I've been able to find on temperate perennial crops, going back to J. Russell Smith and John Hershey...
The first volume of Edible Forest Gardens is a superb primer on ecology as it relates to horticulture in general, and I highly recommend it even for gardeners who aren't primarily interested in useful perennials..." --Greg Williams Publisher, Hort IdeasSee all Editorial Reviews
Product details
Hardcover: 396 pages
Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing (August 30, 2005)
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75 customer reviews
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edible forest forest gardens volume set food foresttemperate climates dave jacke every penny martin crawfordcreating a forest worth every highly recommend wonderful resourcebill mollison second volume north america anyone who wantswell worth detailed information much information actually creating
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avid reader
5.0 out of 5 starsLots of valuable informationJuly 1, 2014
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Although this is an expensive set, there is so much valuable information in these 2 books for those interested in permaculture and forest gardening in the temperate climates of North America, it is well worth the price. The authors have scientific information to back their recommendations and to give credence to the longterm benefit and viability of the vision of permaculture and forest gardening…it is no longer just a wonderful vision but actually in the realm of reality. I loved the second volume with all the tables of plants arranged by their functions. There was so much information presented in a way that you can design a plan for your forest that will work really well together and will have a really great chance to thrive. If your plan includes plants that fix nitrogen and that accumulate nutrients such as calcium and potassium you will not need to add fertilizers. If you plan to have plants that support bees with nectar and pollen, you will have no problem pollinating your crops. If you make sure you have plants and habitats that attract predatory wasps and other beneficials , you will not need to worry about pests as much. I don't agree with everything in this book…such using glycophosphate. I think some of the soil preparation techniques that are recommended are too labour intensive…there must be a better way but overall there is really a lot of useful information
11 people found this helpful
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Jalar
5.0 out of 5 starsTotally worth itFebruary 17, 2018
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
"The" book on forest gardening in North America. I wish I would have bought this first. So many other books I have are encompassed in this book. Volume 1 is about forest ecology, learning about what we are trying to mimic. Volume 2 is the practical applications section. These books and the Permaculture Designers manual are all you need. Volume 2 is a great reference. Volume 1 is pretty dense, but very interesting, thorough background information for what we are trying to accomplish.
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The realskinny
5.0 out of 5 starsEXCELLENT BOOKS!January 20, 2015
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
These are SERIOUS reference books that you will have to go back to again and again. Martin Crawford has a very readable tome about food forests which is excellent--these are excellent too, but give much more indepth analysis of the process and on ecology. I have read them in tandem--again, these are books for the serious raw foodists and sustainable gardener, or designer and will probably take MONTHS of reading and years of digesting, but I think they are well worth it AND will serve anyone serious about sustainable agriculture, well.
5 people found this helpful
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Julie Guerrieri
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat Books!January 30, 2014
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I had originally checked these books out at the library, but, being as they are so large, I couldn't even get close to finishing the first one in only two weeks. I was impressed with them, however, and decided to spend the money on my own copies.
I was so excited when they arrived--I'm still only partially through Book 1--and it's great having my own copies. And, unlike the ones from the library, these ones were in good shape--I'm a freak about the condition of my books, and I intend to keep these looking as good as they did the day they came!
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George Roark
5.0 out of 5 starsAn Amazing, in-Depth ReferenceMarch 25, 2010
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
It's no surprise to learn that Dave and Eric worked for seven years to write the Edible Forest Gardens books; the depth and breadth of permaculture knowledge that they present is incredible. Although I've heard some say that these books are not an easy read, I've found them to be fascinating, enjoyable and indispensable. I started my journey into permaculture with Gaia's Garden by Toby Hemenway, then decided to plant an edible forest in the back yard, so I purchased Volume 2 of Edible Forest Gardens, since it covers the practical consideration of forest gardening. I was so impressed with the book that I then purchased volume 1, which focuses on the ecological vision and theory for temperate climate permaculture. Highly recommended!
3 people found this helpful
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Skip
5.0 out of 5 starsThis two volume set is worth it's weight in silver bullion...... Really!December 16, 2013
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
The author, Dave Jacke, has nailed this topic cold. Informative, to the point, "hands on" useable information..... Simply the best book I've found on this topic.
Mr. Jacke's work is as good or better than Fukuoka, Louis Bromfield, Joel Salatin or Wendell Berry. This book will has become a how-to classic. A must have if your planning a premiculture project of your own.
4 people found this helpful
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R. Lopez
5.0 out of 5 starsRE: expensive, but well worth itNovember 27, 2012
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I hesitated to spend so much money on these books. I find the information they contain to be the result of years of hard work by many people. They are prominently located on my reference shelf for easy access. If you are interested in Edible Forest Gardens, you will not be disappointed in the information they contain.
Forest Gardening is a lengthy endeavor. You won't get many chances to get it right, so better to do it right the first time.
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carlos
5.0 out of 5 starsyou will enjoy all of the little and big drops of wisdom ...September 12, 2015
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I am starting a business called Epic Edible Backyards, and researching permaculture and ways to maximize food production. This set of books has been on my reading list for a while and they were well worth the wait. For someone interested in ecology, nature, permaculture, and design, you will enjoy all of the little and big drops of wisdom in these books.
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