The Living Soil Handbook

Discovering how to meet the soil’s needs is the key task for every market gardener. In this comprehensive guide, Jesse Frost shares all he has learned through experience and experimentation with no-till practices on his home farm and from interviews and visits with highly successful market gardeners. This handbook is centered around the three basic principles of no-till market gardening: Disturb the soil as little as possible; Keep it covered as much as possible; Keep it planted as much as possible. Beginning with an exploration of the importance of photosynthesis to living soil, Jesse provides in-depth information on: turning over beds; using compost and mulch; maintaining fertility; cover cropping; diversifying through intercropping; production methods for major crops; and so much more. Throughout, the book emphasizes practical information on all the best tools and practices for growers who want to build their livelihood around maximizing the health of their soil.