by Jesse Frost, 304 pages, 7x10, softcover. There are now many books about no-till vegetable culture, but Frost’s stands out by going deeper into the living nature of soil while broadening our practical understanding of how to grow crops in a regenerative way. With his experiences as farmer, journalist, podcast host, and cofounder of the No-Till Growers website, he synthesizes the perspectives of growers who are thriving in the revival of this ancient agricultural model. In part one (“Disturb as Little as Possible”), he lays out the science of living soil and how to start new beds or transition established beds away from tillage. In part two (“Keep It Covered as Much as Possible”), he addresses compost and mulch, as well as rotating crops and managing paths, the two biggest potential quandaries for those new to no-till. In part three (“Keep It Planted as Much as Possible”), he shares fresh insights on managing fertility and interplanting to maximize a bed’s potential, and he concludes with a 50-page chapter, “Seven No-Till Crops From Start to Finish.” Wherever you are in your journey as a steward of plant and soil life, Frost’s passionate compilation will reinvigorate your efforts to grow more beautifully and bountifully. -John Paul Rietz
The Living Soil Handbook: The No-Till Grower’s Guide to Ecological Market Gardening
ships year-round