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Eric Toensmeier
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Paradise Lot: Two Plant Geeks, One-Tenth of an Acre, and the Making of an Edible Garden Oasis in the City Kindle Edition

by Eric Toensmeier (Author), Jonathan Bates (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 268 ratings
In this vivid and engaging work, Eric Toensmeier entices us with his journey as an example, explaining what to do, and what mistakes to avoid, to develop our own versions of an edible urban paradise.”—Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia’s Garden

When Eric Toensmeier and Jonathan Bates moved into a duplex in a run-down part of Holyoke, Massachusetts, the tenth-of-an-acre lot was barren ground and bad soil, peppered with broken pieces of concrete, asphalt, and brick. The two friends got to work designing what would become not just another urban farm, but a “permaculture paradise” replete with perennial broccoli, paw paws, bananas, and moringa—all told, more than two hundred low-maintenance edible plants in an innovative food forest on a small city lot. The garden—intended to function like a natural ecosystem with the plants themselves providing most of the garden’s needs for fertility, pest control, and weed suppression—also features an edible water garden, a year-round unheated greenhouse, tropical crops, urban poultry, and even silkworms.

In telling the story of Paradise Lot, Toensmeier explains the principles and practices of permaculture, the choice of exotic and unusual food plants, the techniques of design and cultivation, and, of course, the adventures, mistakes, and do-overs in the process. Packed full of detailed, useful information about designing a highly productive permaculture garden, Paradise Lot is also a funny and charming story of two single guys, both plant nerds, with a wild plan: to realize the garden of their dreams and meet women to share it with. Amazingly, on both counts, they succeed.

"This is permaculture for the rest of us. Best of all, Paradise Lot is fun to read. It overflows with love—love of plants, love of land, love of adventuring on the edge of knowledge, and love of living. It’s hard to put down. I read it in two large gulps.”—Carol Deppe, author of The Resilient Gardener and Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties
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  1. Print length
    225 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Chelsea Green
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    February 8, 2013
  6. File size
    9.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

With their shared passion for plants and a commitment to creating as self-sustaining a garden as possible on a minuscule lot in a small New England city cursed with a terrible climate and even worse soil, Toensmeier and Bates set about converting their urban backyard into a permaculture paradise. Informed by his work on a seminal, two-volume encyclopedia devoted to the concept of forest gardening, Toensmeier transformed the infertile and debris-laden property behind the duplex he shared with Bates into a natural ecosystem teeming with edible plants. As the authors’ postage-stamp-size front yard morphed into a lush, tropical showcase that astounded their Massachusetts community, the backyard incorporated all the components necessary to produce fresh fruits and vegetables year-round using cold-hardy, mostly native plants that would ideally require a minimum amount of work for a maximum output. As a memoir of a purposeful life, Toensmeier’s work is engaging, honest, and natural. As a directive to other gardeners eager to establish natural ecosystems in unlikely settings, his work is instructive, illuminating, and inspirational. --Carol Haggas

Review

“[A] charming, true-life tale of urban regeneration and the birth of a forest garden movement . . . Adventurous readers with conventional gardens and lawns may be inspired to venture into the more integrated, evolutionary approach that this book so vividly and appealingly portrays.”— Publishers Weekly

“As a memoir of a purposeful life, Toensmeier’s work is engaging, honest, and natural. As a directive to other gardeners eager to establish natural ecosystems in unlikely settings, his work is instructive, illuminating, and inspirational.”—Booklist

“The authors give readers plenty of choices and ideas to think about when deciding whether to embark on this kind of gardening.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Part gardening guide, part personal story, the book is ultimately a call to action, with the pair proclaiming that it doesn’t matter what a patch of land looks like, as long as someone is willing to explore its potential.”—ForeWord Reviews

"The authors’ prose pulls the reader into their lives, sparking a desire to see the result and try this kind of gardening. The appendixes are filled with useful information for readers who may be intrigued enough to create their own paradise. All readers interested in urban renewal or environmental issues will welcome this book."—Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW)

“Although many of us dream of creating our ideal urban homestead from scratch, the reality is far less pristine: toxic soil, rampant exotic species, outdated codes, and all the other grit of city life. Paradise Lot is a practical manual, based on hard-won lessons, for working positively with the realities of our cities to create a sustainable, peaceful, and abundant oasis in the urban jungle. In this vivid and engaging work, Eric Toensmeier entices us with his journey as an example, explaining what to do, and what mistakes to avoid, to develop our own versions of an edible urban paradise.”—Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia’s Garden

“Our connection to place defines us as gardeners and farmers just as much as the plants we choose to grow. The integration of perennial plantings, microclimate, and natural beauty comes about by listening to the land. What a delight to then have one of America’s preeminent permaculture teachers share his personal story with both place and partner. Sometimes that meaningful insight we need in shaping our own garden path comes from hearing of the successes and foibles other gardeners found on their path. The gift Eric Toensmeier and Jonathan Bates offer in Paradise Lot is their heart for all things green.”—Michael Phillips, author of The Holistic Orchard and The Apple Grower

“Paradise Lot is a magnificent story about how two young broke landless 'plant geeks' transform an urban lot into a permaculture heaven capable of producing all their fruit and vegetables as well as attracting suitable mates. The book is a groundbreaking work on temperate-climate permaculture as well as a personal saga, as the author’s discovery and discussion of the differences between theory and practice goes beyond anything in the current permaculture literature. The book has a lot of information on growing and using various perennial food plants and, of particular value, it includes specific accounts of what didn’t work and why as well as what did. Paradise Lot should be particularly useful to those with small lots or poor or abused soil. Much writing in permaculture is for people with plenty of land and money. This is permaculture for the rest of us. Best of all, Paradise Lot is fun to read. It overflows with love—love of plants, love of land, love of adventuring on the edge of knowledge, and love of living. It’s hard to put down. I read it in two large gulps.”—Carol Deppe, author of The Resilient Gardener and Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties

“Paradise Lot is a timeless classic of urban permaculture in action that clearly shows design evolution over time. This is a true model of the change the world needs.”--Geoff Lawton, founder of Permaculture Research Institute and creator of Greening the Desert

“Just when I figured I had heard it all in growing food, comes a book that makes me realize I don’t know the half of it. Paradise Lot is an amazing, almost unbelievable account of how to grow some 150–200 food- and nitrogen-producing plants on a measly one-tenth of an acre, providing food year round in a cold climate. The authors reveal in great detail how they do this, starting with poor urban backyard soil and using totally organic and permaculture methods. They have raised 400 pounds of perennial fruits and vegetables in addition to many annual vegetables per year in this tiny garden. With more time, knowledge, and labor, they are sure they can produce appreciably more. If you want your imagination challenged and intrigued, this is the book for you. As the authors say, here is proof positive that with proper knowledge and will there is no such thing as food scarcity.”—Gene Logsdon, author of A Sanctuary of Trees and Small-Scale Grain Raising

“Eric has a leisurely, entertaining, and personable way of revealing how his own edible forest garden evolved. Along the way, the reader will learn design guidelines that can be used in virtually any climate. A good read full of insight and science.”—Robert Kourik, author of Designing and Maintaining Your Edible Landscape—Naturally

“Paradise Lot is an inspiring book that encourages exploration of the possibilities of growing edibles in any and every yard, no matter how small. And not only tomatoes or apples, but all sorts of edibles from hog peanuts (taste much better than their name) to pawpaws to mints to jostaberry. Join Eric Toensmeier and his friend Jonathan Bates on their ten-plus-year journey in creating a garden of eatin’ in a very small city lot. I can’t wait for the sequel!”—Lee Reich, PhD, author of Grow Fruit Naturally, The Pruning Book, and Landscaping with Fruit

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BCLJA02
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chelsea Green
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 8, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 9.4 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 225 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1603584005
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Best Sellers Rank: #1,608,489 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 268 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Eric Toensmeier

    Eric Toensmeier

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    Eric Toensmeier is the award-winning author of Paradise Lot and Perennial Vegetables, and the co-author of Edible Forest Gardens. He is an appointed lecturer at Yale University, a Senior Biosequestration Fellow with Project Drawdown, and an international trainer. Eric presents in English, Spanish, and botanical Latin throughout the Americas and beyond. He has studied useful perennial plants and their roles in agroforestry systems for over two decades. Eric has owned a seed company, managed an urban farm that leased parcels to Hispanic and refugee growers, and provided planning and business trainings to farmers. He is the author of The Carbon Farming Solution: A Global Toolkit of Perennial Crops and Regenerative Agricultural Practices for Climate Change Mitigation and Food Security was released in 2016. His writings can be viewed at www.carbonfarmingsolution.com and www.perennialsolutions.org.

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  2. Jonathan Bates

    Jonathan Bates

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
268 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find this gardening book engaging and easy to read, with detailed information that's particularly useful for New England gardeners. They appreciate its conversational style and storytelling, with one customer noting it's an excellent guide for beginners interested in permaculture techniques. Customers value the book's entertainment value, with one mentioning it's a fun DVD for avid gardeners, while another describes it as a book on gardening in a sustainable way.

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EnjoymentInspirationInformation contentStorytellingReadabilityEntertainment valueGardeningConversational style
42 customers mention "Enjoyment"42 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, describing it as an interesting and fun read, with one customer noting it's particularly suitable for permaculture enthusiasts.

"A great book that describes a couple of dudes and their trials and tribulations of creating a fine backyard uber garden." Read more

"I enjoyed this book. Even though I do not live in the same area feel that I can do the same where I live with plants that are suited to my area." Read more

"This is a very enjoyable book. These two men are an inspiration for everyone...." Read more

"A fun read. Not so much informative as inspiring...." Read more

39 customers mention "Inspiration"38 positive1 negative

Customers find the book inspiring, particularly as an interesting account of learning permaculture techniques, with one customer noting it's great for beginners who want to become permaculturalists.

"...It was a very enjoyable read and I found it inspiring. I like how the authors approached the original design of their garden...." Read more

"Inspiring and lovable geeks guide us into a new view of our food, the edible plant kingdom, and the health of the land." Read more

"Great inspiration..." Read more

"Fast, inspiring read. As I work on my farm, I find myself lifting ideas from this book. Thanks, Eric for another great book!!!!" Read more

32 customers mention "Information content"29 positive3 negative

Customers find the book's content detailed and useful, particularly for New England gardeners, with one customer noting its helpful lists and charts.

"...Love the stories in it. Very entertaining to read yet so much information at the same time that i need to go back with a pen and paper and take notes..." Read more

"Well-written, fact-laden, useful and truly applicable for the gardener who wants to do more than just garden...." Read more

"Full of information for New England gardeners interested in applying permaculture principles to modest sized yards...." Read more

"...style of writing is friendly enough to be inviting and detailed enough to be truly useful...." Read more

16 customers mention "Storytelling"16 positive0 negative

Customers love the stories in the book, with one customer particularly charmed by the narrative of the two young men.

"...-deprecating style, edible plant and planting information, and compelling narrative to make it an compulsive read...." Read more

"...to permaculture principles set in the easy format of a fun and inspiring story...." Read more

"A must read! I recommend anyone to just buy and read. Just an amazing journey. Thought provoking...." Read more

"This book is enjoyable to read. It tells the story and provides some education along the way...." Read more

10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy and quick to read.

"...The book is very readable and both authors bring their experiences to the pages in different ways...." Read more

"...While you're at it, you'll enjoy the fun, easy-to-read story of two plant geeks trying to attract mates who would love gardening as much as they..." Read more

"...It is very easy to read and understand. I got it from the library and knew this was one I had to have so I could hi-light it. Thank you." Read more

"Quick read for inspiration for anyone looking to turn an urban plot into a city paradise." Read more

7 customers mention "Entertainment value"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, with one mentioning it's a fun DVD for avid gardeners.

"...While you're at it, you'll enjoy the fun, easy-to-read story of two plant geeks trying to attract mates who would love gardening as much as they..." Read more

"...on many levels - a great travelog of the development of an idea, presented in a fun and engaging writing style, and following a timeline that's long..." Read more

"...Entertaining as well. Worth the price." Read more

"...Overall, a very enjoyable book that is pragmatic and entertaining!" Read more

7 customers mention "Gardening"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the gardening content of the book, with reviews highlighting its focus on sustainable and organic practices, and one customer noting how it helps reduce reliance on corporate farm produce.

"This book applies to a city lot a great deal of permaculture and organic gardening. Entertaining as well. Worth the price." Read more

"...and strategic in building a life and community that's both sustainable and satisfying. Very inspiring! A wonderful book." Read more

"...of permaculture and edible landscaping, and reduce our consumption of corporate farm produce and continue the greening of our urban spaces." Read more

"...It makes gardening seem so much more feasible. We were planning on adding some shrubs to 'fence' in our front yard...." Read more

6 customers mention "Conversational style"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the conversational style of the book, with one customer noting its respectful interaction and another highlighting its deep friendship between the authors.

"I really enjoyed this book, as it was very conversational and approachable, less textbook and more like sitting down with a friend over a cup of tea..." Read more

"...What I didn't expect was the deep friendship that Eric and Jonathan share, and how easily they each express their appreciation of the other...." Read more

"I liked the conversational style of it. It felt almost like you were having a conversation with them about it (via reading, of course)...." Read more

"I love this record of respectful interaction, by two knowledgeable people, with their local ecology, to produce an abundant food forest on a tiny..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Zannah Marsh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling narrative, excellent permaculture resource
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I bought this book because I'm a budding urban gardener curious about permaculture (a sustainable, low maintenance, ecosystem-focused approach to growing food)... and I like a good story. Eric Toensmeier is a self-described "plant geek" and permaculture expert who also co-wrote "Edible Forest Gardens" a 2-volume, 1000+ page epic reference on the theory and practice of permaculture. Unlike EFG, "Paradise Lot" is a comparatively short, accessible, narrative account of Toensmeier's experience turning a barren urban lot in Holyoke, MA into a "food forest."

    At the start of the book, Toensmeier and his co-gardener Jonathan Bates (who contributes short essays scattered throughout the book) are single, impoverished, lonely 30-something plant geeks struggling to start a business, find a place to settle down, and get girlfriends. Part of the fun and suspense of the book is following their personal stories, which are skillfully and unobtrusively interwoven into the central narrative of the garden. The book is also a terrific introduction to key concepts in permaculture. Toensmeier describes the entire process, from selecting and mapping a site to designing the garden, collecting seeds, working the soil, planting, harvesting and even preparing some of the unusual edibles, troubleshooting invasives and dealing with pests. There's lots of juicy details, but the technical information isn't overwhelming. If you're inspired (as I was) to learn more, there are comprehensive lists of resources (books, organizations, suppliers, etc) plus plant lists and garden maps in the book's appendicies.

    Toensmeier writes beautifully, with a deeply-felt passion for plants and the natural world. In a broader sense, the book is about being creative, resourceful, and strategic in building a life and community that's both sustainable and satisfying.

    Very inspiring! A wonderful book.
    68 people found this helpful
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  • Sheila
    5.0 out of 5 stars Making a Dream Come True
    Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Thanks Eric and John and everyone else for putting this reality into print. I first read Edible Forest Gardens in manuscript and most of the rest of Perm and Forest Garden lit. This is my favorite so far - hands on, real life, backyard Northeast - just what I need. I don't have the energy to do the same but hope to find young helpers who want to learn. That's part of what it's all about.

    One of the great things about this book is that Eric and John share what didn't work, what they learned the hard way and their dreams about the future. Paradise is a process, not an end point.

    A concern I have is the possibility of plants like Goumi, while not currently on the invasive list, becoming problematic.

    If you ever have the chance to visit for a tour, a workshop or work day, you'll have the opportunity to see the garden in real life and probably meet at least one of the authors. You can also buy some of the plants that are in the book. It's definitely worth the trip.
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  • Frank G. Risalvato
    4.0 out of 5 stars Turns traditional concept of "gardening" up on its head - Thanks!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Ever since my dream girl and I got married and bought our first house, I couldn't wait to work in the yard and garden. Been through 4 houses now (I hope my last!) and this book made me realize just how I've been doing it ALL WRONG.

    In my current home I hired a "Professional landscape designer" (term used loosely as anyone can call themselves such) to help me with the frame work while I filled in areas later. I wound up getting what 90% of landscapers suggest: Tons of garbage Asian plants that are easy to care for but completely unproductive and actually damage the environment by invading natural woods nearby.

    My Japanese Privet (Ligustrum), Laurel, and burning bush achieve nothing. I am now considering ripping out about 50 burning bushes that form a hedge and replace with native blueberry. I could have had many pounds of blueberries (which I LOVE) all this time. What was I thinking!

    I'm slowly replacing other hedges with native plums, (also a great hedge that keeps kids out) and Elderberry and have begun slowly planting/replacing.

    While the author took things to the extreme - to develop a self-contained eco-system - we can all learn from the trails (garden paths) they blazed (mulched).

    Great read. But be forewarned - You will want to spit on your backyard and tear everything out when you realize what you've been doing all wrong!
    33 people found this helpful
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  • SanDiegoMama
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I loved Paradise Lot. It took me 3 days to read because I was reading so fast. I'm going to reread it again because it was so good. Love the stories in it. Very entertaining to read yet so much information at the same time that i need to go back with a pen and paper and take notes. Although they live on the East Coast with much colder weather and I live in San Diego, I feel that the book still helped me a great deal. I'm now even more inspired to work on my own back yard and food forest. I wish they would move to a new lot, start over and journal that garden as well! I'd buy that book.

    I'm probably going to by their other 2 volume set about food forests. They explained about how they put that together and it seems like an encyclopedia of information that is very much worth having.

    I'm sad that I'm not close to where they live. It would be interesting to take a tour after learning so much about the effort put forth in designing it all these years.

    I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to create an edible yard. Very helpful.
    21 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • llensa
    4.0 out of 5 stars J'aurais aimé des photos
    Reviewed in France on September 8, 2015
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    J'ai beaucoup aimé ce livre et la vie décrite. L'anglais est fluide et facile à lire. Mais j'aurais aimé des photos...
    Report
  • Joan Levert
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
    Reviewed in Canada on December 8, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Loved this book! Very interesting read. I especially like that it's well written. The narrative flows smoothly, and I haven't found a typo yet! It may seem silly to mention that when reviewing a gardening book, but these days, ANYthing written nicely is a pleasant relief from the poorly checked usual fare.

    As for the contents of the book, it was all good. :) This is the missing link we northern gardeners need. We can find lists of plants and the zones they're hardy to, and we can find other people's finished gardens (usually more south), but it's not as easy finding tales of experience on such a level! This book reads like a novel, not a how-to manual. It's filled with useful information, but if you're looking for lists and how-tos, there's another book out there for you. In his book, Mr. Toensmeier describes how his garden went from dream to reality, and includes many lessons that can only be gleaned through trial and error, and experience.

    If you are interested in permaculture - or even basic gardening - I highly recommend Paradise Lot.
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  • Dr. Bates
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enthralling story of plant lovers who achieved their permaculture dream
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 29, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't quite what I expected, in that it isn't a "how to", but I just couldn't put it down. It describes the journey of a couple of friends who found some urban land and did some very cool stuff with it. I think what I most enjoyed was the frisson of recognition of mutual plant geekdom...to the point where I even have the same nerdy book on unusual fruit by my bedside. One for plant geeks everywhere!
    Report
  • Tara J. Naylor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring a forest garden
    Reviewed in Canada on May 25, 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I absolutely loved this book. Learning about the process, the challenges of creating this food garden, and achieving a high quality life was inspiring. So many people, myself included get disheartened with their annual garden in areas of poor soil and shade.
    I have started a forest/permaculture garden based on this book.
    Report
  • Ecaterina Gabriela Weatherhead
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 1, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    A very endearing account of two guys who are passionate about plants, nature and a the planning and planting of their much longed for garden. A story of the gradual transformation of barren, hard ground into a wholesome and ecosystem with their trials and errors. A very useful book for anyone who would like to try to achieve something like this, and their ideas with the choice of edible perennial plants work for the most part in the UK climate. A real treasure trove for the alternative gardener!
    Report

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