Vegetables Gardening - Growing Organic Vegetables

Group: I believe the following dialog is instructive, and so include conversations between myself and Dale. I'll make a final comment below:

"I started listening to the show three weeks ago. I have been listening to older shows and on most nights two shows.

"I like tonight's show for the use of the photos on the group site. It is very helpful to have your comments about the content of the photographs. I hope you will do this again. Maybe even spend longer and more detail on some of the gardens. Or use the photographs again as you talk about a topic on the show. I know it is radio. However, photographs can be very helpful.

"By the way I see in the group photographs an A-frame vertical growth set up. Is this in any of the books? I am not finding it.

regards,
Dale

Dale:

Thanks for your feedback on the radio show! I will try to use the photos on the Group site more, and add to them as well.

Jacob used the A-Frame setup early on in his experience, but changed to T-Frames. I think the only book that shows the A-Frames is More Food From Your Garden (AKA Grow-Box Gardens), which is out of print.

Jim Kennard

"Jim,

"I am having a good week. I found used copies in near mint condition of More Food from your Garden 1975 hardbound, Food For Everyone 1973 hardbound, and Let's Grow Tomatoes 1981. It is interesting to see the differences from the later books. He was recommending a 5'x8"x30' grow box, different greenhouse designs, A frames, etc.

Now I understand the Stewart Martinsen garden photographs. His raised beds did not follow the current method. That had puzzled me. However, he does follow the method as presented in the 1970 and early 1980s.

I have enjoyed seeing ways the method can be done. The larger bed layout is more work to weed, feed and water. The older greenhouse was not great at venting heat. I have not had time to read the books. I spent a few hours looking and reading only parts. However I will be reading them this winter and rereading the newer books.

Dale

Group:

Dr. Mittleider started his adult life as a BAKER, and from that learned to 1) follow a recipe exactly, 2) keep meticulous records, 3) experiment constantly, and 4) make changes after improvements have been tested and proven.

It was this, along with an amazing 18 hour-a-day work ethic, great intelligence, amazing faith, and desire to help his fellow man that enabled him to earn 11 plant patents (commercially valuable hybrids), become financially independent at age 45, and devote the second half of his life to creating the most productive sustainable gardening method on the planet.

He continued, even well into his '80's, experimenting, improving, and documenting his work and findings - and every book he wrote, and every video he produced showed that innovation and those improvements.

I believe everything Dr. Mittleider produced has great value to the family gardener, and can teach important lessons on creating and growing a highly productive vegetable garden. His latest book, which was, in its presentation, a collaboration between himself and 3 university professors of Educational Psychology and Technology, is the best single gardening resource every family gardener should own and use. In paper it is only $17.95 at www.growfood.com.

What is most important to all of you is that almost all of Dr. Mittleider's books and subject-specific manuals can now be had for as little as $50! We've created a CD in PDF format, which will work on all computers, and for that small sum you can own a digital copy of the Mittleider Gardening Library. I highly recommend it! www.growfood.com - under Software.

Jim Kennard

• New Members 9