Solar Gardening: Growing Vegetables Year-Round the American Intensive Way (The Real Goods Independent Living Books) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Gretchen Vogel Poisson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The Poissons, experienced New England gardeners, present their system for continuous food production. Inspired by French intensive gardening techniques that originally utilized bell-shaped glass jars called cloches to protect tender plants and extend the growing season, the Poissons have developed solar gardening "appliances," including the Solar Cone, the Solar Pod, and the Pod Extenders. Use of these mini-greenhouses, combined with other gardening techniques such as intercropping, crop rotation, and careful site and soil preparation, can make it possible to harvest fresh vegetables year-round. Details are given on how to build the solar appliances, followed by information on 90 garden crops grouped by three main categories: heat-loving, cold-hardy, and cold-tolerant vegetables. Although only those with considerable space will be able to implement fully the American Intensive system (a garden area of 40' 3 40' is needed for a family of four), the Poissons provide useful gardening tips for all organic gardeners. Highly recommended for all vegetable gardening collections.
Virginia A. Henrichs, Chicago Botanic Garden Lib., Glencoe, Ill.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

"American intensive" gardening is what the authors call a continuous food-producing system that provides an ideal growing environment for the entire plant. By creating and maintaining a deep, well-balanced, fertile soil, the system optimizes growing conditions below the ground. By using heat-assisting devices to create beneficial microclimates for seedlings and mature plants, it ensures optimum growing conditions above the ground. The authors have designed solar devices--insulated pods, cones, and pod extenders--to ensure fresh harvests even in winter. These solar structures capture and retain the sun's heat in winter and diffuse strong sunlight and protect tender plants in summer. The book gives step-by-step instructions on building the solar devices and offers a month-by-month gardening guide for the three main North American growing zones--northern, moderate, and southern. There is advice on garden sites and soil, harvesting, storage, and seed-savings, as well as growing tips on 90 vegetables divided into heat-loving, cool-hardy, and cold-tolerant. George Cohen

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing Company (September 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0930031695
• ISBN-13: 978-0930031695
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #268,571 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Extended Season Gardening, July 7, 2007

By	Aaron Holmes (portland, or) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book has awesome information for anyone wanting to grow all their own food and become self sufficient.

Also lots of tips for extending the season even if you only grow a few favorites.

Includes growing information on different vegetables, organized into short and long season heat-loving or cold-hardy. Also building instructions for their solar appliances and even the difficulties and learning from their decades of experience growing all their own food.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is full of it!!, May 12, 2007

By	frycoach "rock hound" (TN USA) - See all my reviews

One of the best gardening books I have ever read! Excellent information on solar gardening & instructions on how to construct the garden cones, frames & pods. They provide practical information in an easy to understand format. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in gardening.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book... For the US, August 29, 2009

By	Dietz (India) - See all my reviews

This was a very informative book with lots of illustrations and advice. It is very specific for the US, but does have some universally applicable advice. It also is not very scalable from a compact kitchen garden, to a larger setup, which was what I was looking for.

The book also pumps you up for Organic foods and gets the ideas flowing. These people have passion, no doubt!! They also give some good tips on season extending, which I will probably try at the end of winter this year.

This is a good addition to any library on gardening, or home care!