The author herself fell ill with cancer years ago and then began to look into the substances, including those from packaging materials, that we are surrounded by every day. She eventually switched her life and that of her family to "self-sufficiency" and with this guide presents a range of basic information for starting a family garden. The photos look natural and not "pimped". The author's occasional use of biblical quotations may irritate some readers, but on the other hand, many people, including believers, seem to have long since forgotten that nature should be valued as a creation and source of sustenance. I like the book.

From soil preparation to harvesting, this hands-on manual covers everything you need for a largely self-sufficient supply of fruit, herbs and vegetables from your home garden. Many of us may initially shy away from tackling the many preparation, sowing, care and harvesting steps, right through to the sustainable storage and preservation of home-grown fruit and vegetables, even if we have a suitable growing area. But this is where the book comes in: Firstly, take your time to read some of the very reader-friendly and motivating information and instruction chapters and then make an informed decision. It's hard to resist the "charm" of the book and you'll find one or two ways to implement it. It doesn't have to be a complete self-sufficient garden, but small steps can also lead to the goal. Norris' handbook fulfils many of the requirements of a self-learning programme with fillable worksheets, from careful planning to culinary enjoyment, which can be adapted to individual local conditions. The author also offers a great deal of specialised knowledge about the background to horticulture: Soil science, crop rotation, suggestions for accompanying flora etc. There is also an "educational" effect that characterises the sustainability of this farming method, because as the suggestions are for a family garden, children can also be sensitised to self-sufficiency through "learning by doing" with the corresponding edible experiences of success. In short, the project is worth emulating in every form.

A simple cover, emphasised in a precious way by a photo, immediately appealed to me. I love tomatoes and leeks, beans and carrots and everything here is so true to nature that I immediately wanted to dive into this book. I was not disappointed. After a very informative introduction in which the author describes us and our nature, and how we have unfortunately lost touch with it and are no longer in harmony. This book contains a great deal of knowledge, which is presented to the reader in a very simple and easy way. With a gentle patience, Melissa K. Norris tells us the basics of growing your own garden, from planning to seed selection to implementation and the joy of seeing your plants thrive and grow. The usual side effects of the unpopular creatures in between, she calls them pests, I say they too are souls of our beloved universe:-) I learnt a lot about common vegetable plants, the importance of soil conditions and climate. Even the orientation towards the sky seems important and I am absolutely thrilled with the author's realisation and explanation. She absolutely managed to captivate me with her knowledge, you can feel her emotions, her joy in gardening, the learning tasks, which couldn't be more different from year to year. Checklists, such as for preserving supplies, worksheets for your own notes as well as the implementation and care of the garden are not missing here. The work is so incredibly comprehensive that you can read it several times and certainly take it to hand again and again when implementing your own cultivation to internalise it. Beautiful photos, matching the respective plants and seed planting recommendations, are more than well coordinated so that it never gets boring. The knowledge and precise details are always a feast for the eyes and it really makes you want to finally start creating your own garden. I'm already looking forward to it! And even if some seeds can no longer be sown due to the time of year, there are still plenty of vegetable varieties waiting to be planted and cared for. A dream of a book, very appreciative and sufficiently explained, so that you can master the beginning very well thanks to the author's knowledge. Even though not all the knowledge and every single detail can be written down here, self-sufficiency is too big and complex a topic for that, it is absolutely perfect and more than suitable for beginners. I simply have to give it 5 out of 5 stars, as everything is more than coherent. From the colourful and true-to-nature cover to the individual chapters, the accompanying plant options, insect-friendly plants, perennial harvests with a single planting, all in all super exciting and full of information. A must-have book for self-sufficiency! Many thanks to Melissa K. Norris for her hard work, effort and the extensive ideas and information that you can read and learn here! A true enrichment for body, mind & soul! A clear buy & read recommendation from my side!