Book Review and Giveaway

Your Farm in the City: An Urban-Dweller’s Guide to Growing Food and Raising Animals

We were recently sent this book by the publisher. I was just expecting one, but was happy to find two so I could offer a giveaway of the second copy.

I have to say I find this book very thorough.  It discusses pretty much everything you need to know about how to start urban farming. I do find it more geared towards beginners though. Most of the info in the book I already knew. However, just because I know much of the book’s content does not lessen it’s value. And it did have info in it that I hadn’t learned elsewhere, such as why you might have certain weeds and what you can use those weeds for. Little did I know that the reason we’re infested with bindweed and dock is because we have acidic soil. I also learned that both are actually edible.* Imagine that! Makes them not quite as evil as before. Don’t get me wrong, they are still evil, just not as much. 

I also liked that they pointed out that everyone planning on raising food in their backyard should make sure to get their soil tested and to also not rely on those at-home soil tests that are quite inaccurate and unreliable.

I found the book easy to read. It cuts right to the chase with bullet points rather than having a monotonous tone.

I think my only disappointment in the book is the paper it’s printed on. It’s a bit thin, which, in my opinion, won’t stand up as well to being a go-to reference guide, especially a reference guide that will be used outside.

Overall though, I would have bought this book if I wasn’t sent a copy.

If you’d like a chance to own this copy just leave a comment below by midnight Friday, April 1st. I’ll announce the winner on April 2nd. Unfortunately for our international readers, you have to be in the U.S. to win a copy.

*Update: Always research more than one source when determining something is edible. As pointed out by Anne, Field Bindweed (Convolvulus avensis) can be mildly toxic.

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