(Author's Note: I have been sufficiently please with the outcome of my series of Essentialism and the kind comments of you, my readers, on that particular idea of a deep dive into a particular book, that I am planning to do it again. I have a couple of books I am thinking of; I ask for your patience as I work through the next steps.)
The first year I grew grain was in 2005.
It was, as I recall, a combination of Winter Wheat, Emmer Wheat, Jet Barley, and Oats. The Oats did not take. Everything else did, and my interest in grain growing was born. I believe that every year since then, I have at least tried to grow some kind of grain, no matter what my success rate.
Imagine my pleasure to find, in Permies crowdfund benefit package, a new book on growing grain:
- The basic steps of growing grain: planting, harvesting, threshing, winnowing. The threshing part is especially interesting, as Leigh shares the six methods they have tried over the years to thresh grain, some of them pretty innovative.
Leigh's works are described at Kikobian. Her longer books are available at all the usual online places. Her e-publications (including the one listed above) are available via Smashwords.com; her author page is here.
If you are looking for a "how to start" book that will stay with you as you increase your planting (because of course you will), this book is the best deal anyone could have to an introduction on grain growing.
Hmmmm......There are a few titles there that would be nice to get in print TB.
ReplyDeleteNylon12, I can confidently say that Leigh's information and writing in her books is just as good as it is on her blog.
DeleteAlthough I've been reading Leigh's blog for many years, I have never read one of her books and this post has inspired me to purchase the original and the sequel which will arrive Monday.
ReplyDeleteLeigh if you are reading this comment, I have no excuse for why I didn't do this earlier but better late than never.
Ed, I have Five Acres and A Dream: The Sequel (mostly that one because I think it came out after I had started following her) as well as the mini-books written above. Full of really good information; it also gives some background into the thought of how she and Dan go about planning. Highly recommended.
DeleteEd I appreciate that! I suppose we all hope to make some small contribution to others. Those who survive the worst of times usually have a scattering of self-reliance skills. That's the thing I've always wanted to encourage.
DeleteMy self reliance skills are pretty much farm taught but I'm sure I'll pick up some from your books as I know both yourself and Dan are very creative people!
DeleteEd, I have certainly learned a number of things from the books. I am confident you will as well.
DeleteAs someone who used to live on a small mixed arable/dairy farm in my youth I would be interested to see how that compares with my experience. And, this has relevance to the problems facing Seneca in "The Collapse"....
ReplyDeleteWill, from my very limited experience it is very much spot on.
DeleteIt does indeed have relevance to Seneca - he does have patches of grain, but will definitely need more.
TB, I am incredibly honored by your lovely words and recommendations of my books. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLeigh, you are more than welcome. Thank you for all of the sharing of your knowledge and experiences that you have as you are continuing self-sufficient journey, even the times when it doesn't work out quite like you expected.
DeleteSomewhat sadly, growing ginger the first time did not take, but I will give it another go.