Everything I want to do is Illegal

I agree, everything I want to do is illegal as well. I had the pleasure of introducing a story on Joel Salatin as well for Farmer’s Almanac TV.

Farmers Almanac with Patti’s Article

The most important book any gardener can have. Get it tuned with your local weather and of course read my article as well.

Chicken Tractor

This book put it all together for me and I adapted the methods of this book and others to create an urban appropriate model. Fresh Eggs Daily and Organic chicken are within your reach. This book was also my introduction to permaculture.

Farmer's Almanac 2008

The Original Sustainable Living Guide. I have used the Farmers' Almanac from the very beginning. Good Stuff, and the show we make is one of the best in sustainable living seen on Public Television. Tips on gardening, weather, and much more. Everyone needs an almanac in the house.

Four Season Harvest

This is a book that I thumb thru weekly if not daily. This is essential if you would like to extend your growing season, even into the winter and introduces you to a delightful variety of veggies that even the die hard carnivore of the family will love. I was introduced to growing Swiss chard and Mache after reading this book. Eliot Coleman's book is a must have.

Barnyard in your Backyard

The great thing about this book is that it lays out exactly what you can do in a suburban backyard. It's packed with information that unlike many farming books, is not overwhelming and easy to understand.

Smith & Hawken: 100 Heirloom Tomatoes for the American Garden

I found this to be a very comprehensive book featuring many unique tomatoes whose seeds are readily available. I've grown the following tomatoes featured in the book very successfully and will try out many more. Tiffen Mennonite, Anna Russian, Reisentraube, Eva Purple ball, Kellogg's Breakfast, Big Boy, and Mortgage Lifter.

Hobby Farm

A picture tells a thousand words and Hobby farm is beautifully photographed and illustrated. The tables and charts and diagrams are helpfully. It is a great book for those of you that are thinking about taking farming to the next level. It goes into great detail many aspects of Hobby farming so you can get a good overview of what you'll be getting yourself into. I find the growing veggies table easy to read and can quickly find out any answers I need. I also dig the magazine.

Beautiful pictures, Edible Gardens focuses on how to incorporate edible plants into your garden and goes in depth on all the things you need to know to care for them properly. The right book if you are not interested in incorporating animals into your garden, I've found every page useful.

Raising Rabbits Successfully

This is the only book you need if you're interested in raising rabbits. Very comprehensive and accurate. Very 'factory' farm like though, but Bob Bennett knows his stuff.

The Goat Handbook

Very Comprehensive and accurate. Goats are great pets and a wonderful animal to have on the farm. I enjoyed reading it because I was so excited about having goats and it was really easy to understand. It packed a lot of useful information in a small book which didn't overwhelm me.

Living on Less: Mother Earth News

The first two chapters really opened my eyes. Especially the part that broke down how much it costs for me to work. A great help to anyone interested in practicing sustainability. Check out their website as well: www.motherearthnews.com

Rodale's Illustrated Encylopedia of Herbs

I needed a book that had all the information about herbs all in one place. I found that with Rodale's. The great thing about it is that it gives you images of each herb at different stages of it's growth, with is key when you are growing them from seed. I find myself reaching for this book often and even though it is thick, I've taken it with me on weekend trips.

5 Acres and Independence

A very inspiring book. The text was written a long time ago so the language takes some getting used too, but it includes a lot of information very relevant to an urban farmer. This is one of the original back to the earth manuals.

Living the Good Life
Scott and Helen Nearing

Thanks to Hubert and Nancy Murray for this book. It's a must read for anyone with the need to garden and grow their own food. It's filled with a unique story that will inspire. A wee bit too political for me, but very helpful and inspiring. Look in Used books stores for this great book or find one here.

One Skein

I've always wondered what kinds of things I could make with just one ball of yarn. Now I know. Great for beginners. I've made many of the patterns and given them away as gifts.

Last-Minute Knitted Gifts

Very easy and great ideas for great gifts. I love the fact that it is sorted by how long the project should take to knit.

Glamour Knits

I love many of the patterns in this book. It has some of the most fashion forward knitted patterns I've ever seen. I've made the shrug and can't wait to try the sweater.

Retire on Less Than You Think

Fred Brocks book helped me understand money, and broke me of being a consumerist. This book is great for the mindset and helps you plan your life and lifestyle.

National Audubon Society Field Guide to New England

A rugged and strong book that I adore. I use it to identify everything! From Fish and Animals to Plants and flowers. I learned so much from this book. I leave it outside when I have company so they can identify birds at the pond and stream. It is published for all the local regions.

The Dirt Diva's newest offering! Annie Speigleman and I are both in the film business, she is an Assistant Director, someday hopefully she'll move back east and take care of my problems. Her book(journal) shows the ups an downs of life, everyone will be able to relate, especially if you have a "glass is half empty" attitude like I sometimes do!

The Earth Moved:
On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms

Readers are taken on a journey underground to see the impact worms have on humans and on our planet. Amy Stewart is a big fan of Charles Darwin's insight into worms. The basis of agriculture is the worm!

Out of Gas
By David Goodstein

This is a great Peak Oil Primer book. It is my opinion that world wide oil supply will peak some time in the next two years, which will make a gardener out of everyone. If this book doesn't wake you up to the importance of living sustainably, I don't know what will.

All New Square Foot Gardening
By Mel Bartholomew

This book is written by a former engineer, so he looked at gardening and has tried to make it more efficient. His insights into gardening really changed my life. Really. I strongly recommend if you only own one gardening book, this is the one to get.