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Reviews
Grow Food for Free: The easy, sustainable, zero-cost way to a plentiful harvest by Huw Richards
kt0914's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
For a book aimed towards backyard gardening newcomers who don't want to break the bank on tools, seeds, and soil, this book was exactly what it needed to be. There are beginner tips on building garden beds from reclaimed pallets, hugelkultur (a cheaper and environmentally-friendly way to fill a garden bed with less purchased soil), growing plants for liquid feed, and uses of other throw-away goods to repurpose in the garden. Beyond some new ideas, my takeaway from this book is that it's totally possible to grow your garden from scratch with very little money if you are willing to connect with people who can help you, try new things, and pay attention to what's going on in your backyard environment. I loved the "year in the garden" journal feature he had at the end, which definitely demonstrated how it's possible to know next-to-nothing at the beginning of the journey and in just a few months, be holding a bountiful harvest!
katietopp's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent resource that taught me some basic to intermediate level knowledge about saving seeds, planting, and compost. All in an easy to digest form.
minty's review against another edition
4.0
This book is probably better read in hard copy, to be able to reference later, but it was a nice overview to listen to, too.
kajalhalwa's review against another edition
5.0
This audiobook was packed with great information and ideas. I couldn't absorb all the information through my first listen but I expect I'll refer to this plenty when I have the space to grow more edible vegetables, and it's certainly useful for those of us growing a few plants indoors.
I really appreciate how the author offers free or cheap options as well as ways to prevent common issues. It seems like plenty of work but work that clearly yields satisfying results.
I really appreciate how the author offers free or cheap options as well as ways to prevent common issues. It seems like plenty of work but work that clearly yields satisfying results.
barrettcmyk's review against another edition
4.0
I just breezed through this book over my morning tea. I’m a complete neophyte for gardening — I’m rather okay with my indoor succulents though — and this seems… doable. I’ve long wanted to grow my own food, particularly as a way to get away from produce that only seems to arrive in plastic containers. I appreciated that this book covered the gamut … how to make your own compost and fertilizer, how to barter so you don’t have to run out and buy things, and a certain amount of info for those who are apartment based (though admittedly, this is more for those who have a little more room than that).
I did notice that the author often recommends repurposing plastic items for planting seedlings, storing water, lining pots, etc. While reusing those items is definitely better than not, and certainly easy to acquire if you’re going low-cost, I was a little surprised, given plastics can easily leech into soil and water.
I still think this is a good starting point though, so maybe this spring I’ll actually attempt a few small containers?
I did notice that the author often recommends repurposing plastic items for planting seedlings, storing water, lining pots, etc. While reusing those items is definitely better than not, and certainly easy to acquire if you’re going low-cost, I was a little surprised, given plastics can easily leech into soil and water.
I still think this is a good starting point though, so maybe this spring I’ll actually attempt a few small containers?
tuftymctavish's review
4.0
Half diary, half how-to for a selection of vegetables, with a load of ideas peppered throughout, this was an enjoyable read with a few things I want to try for myself.
fionaaaaaa's review
5.0
What a fantastic, informative book. Lots of information and 'how to's' to grow food for free. Lots of ideas to make use of things we may already have, that you can make into raised beds etc. No matter how little space you have there is ideas of ways to grow your own food. A lovely inspiring book that anyone can use to start growing veg.