The Living Soil Handbook

The ultimate resource for growers interested in no-till market gardening, sustainable agriculture principles, and farm-tested practices for healthier, more productive soil From the host of the popular The No-Till Market Garden Podcast—heard around the world with nearly one million downloads Discovering how to meet the soil’s needs is the key task for every market gardener. In this comprehensive guide, Farmer Jesse Frost shares all he has learned through experience and experimentation with no-till practices on his home farm in Kentucky as well as from his podcast interviews and visits with highly successful market gardeners. He provides practical information on all the best tools and practices for growers who want to build their livelihood around maximizing the health of their soil. Farmer Jesse reminds growers that “as possible” is the mantra for protecting the living soil: disturb the soil as little as you possibly can. He provides in-depth information on: • Turning over beds • Using compost and mulch • Path management • Incorporating biology and maintaining fertility • Cover cropping • Diversifying plantings through intercropping • Production methods for 7 major crops Jesse’s goal is to provide a comprehensive set of options, materials, and field-tested practices to inspire growers to design a soil-nurturing no-till system in their unique garden or farm ecosystem. “Frost offers a comprehensive, science-based, sympathetic, wholly practical guide to soil building . . . A gift to any vegetable plot that will keep on giving.”—Booklist (starred review)