Radical Regenerative Gardening and Farming informs and inspires gardeners, and farmers, who wish to bring quality and integrity into their work with the land. It is about developing close relationships with land that produces our food. This book combines over 40 years of Frank Holzman’s experience in farming, gardening, education, research, and development to provide techniques and concepts for sustainable land use.
Radical Regenerative Gardening and Farming is a more spiritual and thoughtful approach to land stewardship, geared toward aspiring gardeners with a desire for a deeper connection with the earth. It is as much about why as it is about how to develop land. Rather than traditional tractor farming, this book provides a better understanding of horticulture, dealing with the biological interactions between soils and plants, and providing a good understanding of living systems. Holzman examines healthy perspectives of how to approach a piece of land as a living organism and transform it into a balanced ecosystem.
Frank Holzman provides lots of information and insight for backyard gardeners and professional farmers, alike. Truly a great resource for transforming the garden, as well as the gardener.
Frank Holzman is an organic horticulturist and sustainable farming consultant. Holzman started his career as a landscape maintenance gardener in the San Francisco Bay Area. After studying agricultural sciences at the university, he studied organic horticulture in Santa Cruz, California. He learned about Biodynamics in Alan Chadwicks garden at University of California, Santa Cruz. He worked on farms and gardens in California, Oregon, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Georgia. His work has also taken him to seven countries, primarily in Southeast Asia and Central America establishing education programs and consulting on creating healthy ecosystems. Frank Holzman also serves as president of Recovery Eco Agriculture Project, working on sustainable land use, education, research and development.
Introduction
1. Transitioning Ecology into Agroecology
2. Design
3. Compost: What It Is, How to Make It, How to Use It
4. Soil
5. Plant Culture
6. Plant and Seed Propagation
7. Holistic Entomology
8. Plant Pathology
9. Biodynamics in Practice
10. Maintenance and Balance
11. Full Circle
Written for serious food gardeners and small farmers, this text-heavy tome by organic horticulturist and sustainable farming consultant Holzman outlines the basics of biodynamic gardening. Though lacking extensive plant profiles detailing specific growing guidelines, each chapter comes complete with charts and tables that suffice as quick consults. Readers will find chapters devoted to agroecology, design, compost, soil, plant culture, pathology, and propagation, and discover how practical methods of biodynamic gardening regenerate even those areas previously damaged by conventional farming techniques. Holzman explains how edible landscaping and permaculture play a role in transforming desolate landscapes into food-producing powerhouses supporting biodiverse ecosystems. Intended for an audience already familiar with the basic principles of gardening, this book expands upon that general knowledge to introduce more in-depth concepts centered on sustainability. Verdict: A concise, practical handbook for gardeners interested in biodynamic gardening principles. — Library Journal
