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excellant info on this topic! Mar 07, 2010
I have reached for this book many times to look up information, or answer a question. Has more than the basics, and its tried and true methods that have worked for years.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
 Good source to findout where to get information Jan 08, 2010
The book has many great aspects to it and is informative to a point. While I'm not saying that Mr. Coleman should be an expert on everything pertaining to organic gardening, you would think he would be a bit more informative with certain aspects of his book, crop rotation being one. I find it very disturbing when authors write a book that constantly refers to other books. I understand one needs to sight sources, but in this manner it portrays an image that the author doesn't have the time or the knowledge about the subject they are talking about. There are times when Mr. Coleman will bring up a topic and then site a book after a few paragraphs that the reader will have to go and find to understand fully what Mr. Coleman was talking about.
I'm a firm believer that if you are going to write a book about a subject, especially a book you are calling a 'Master's Manual', it should have all of the information a person would require to be become a as adept at gardening as the author. I feel I have gained a good bit of knowledge from Mr. Coleman, but I would say this book is more of a 'Master's Manual for Reference to Other Master's Manuals'.
Great Resource for Gardeners Sep 08, 2009
Elliot Coleman is so much more than an organic farmer. His approach to growing things is as a scientist and he's continually researching, testing, and retesting his growing methods and tools. If all farmers were like Coleman we could easily feed the world's growing population in an organic, sustainable way. This man gives me hope for the future of agriculture. This book is a valuable resource for anyone growing food at any level (market farmer to backyard kitchen gardener) and will provide great information, advice and inspiration.
53 of 54 found the following review helpful:
Extensive data, narrow range Jul 13, 2009
A glance at the other reviews will have you drooling over Coleman's "growers' bible". That's why I bought it. While good reviews are nice, I feel that the claim that this is a "master's manual or tools and techniques" is disingenuous. While Eliot is very complete and authoritative on the information he chooses to cover, there is NO information on:
1: Irrigation. He mentions he built a pond at one point. No clue how irrigation fits his system, if it does.
2: Mulches. While mentioned several times, there is no chapter or sub-section devoted to this important topic.
3: Egg or dairy systems. Livestock mentioned in the book is for meat. There is no concession for non-meat animal uses. He mentions sheep that he buys at the beginning of the season, sets to graze with the chickens, and then sells for little profit just so his chickens get more protein (read: bigger breasts).
Coleman never gets tired of talking about his farm-based sources of nutrients, and yet he is completely dependent on outside inputs for his unbelievably intricate 10-year fertility regime. He casually mentions buying peat and clay by the ton, neglects any mention of animal husbandry, seed saving or permaculture of any sort.
At times this comes over as downright sanctimonious, particularly in the chapter "Pests?" In which Eliot explains how every pest problem you've ever had is your fault for not paying attention to the culture requirements of the plants. He calls all pest management practices "palliatives" meant to hide the problem rather than correct the source of the pest issue.
Overall a well written book with loads of useful information. You just have to get over Coleman's down-east arrogance to get to the juicy bits.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Excellent and Practical May 13, 2009
This is a great resource for anyone who is interested in getting into organic farming. Not only does it have a multitude of topics, it includes practical information and does not assume it has all the answers. For example, it suggests that to find the BEST methods of irrigation for your farm or garden, you should talk to farmers or gardeners who are actually in your area!! Duh. It makes so much sense, and my husband and I will definitely use this book for years to come!
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