Chelsea Green Staff Picks for Your 2023 Reading List
From the enlightening and thought-provoking to the quirky and fun, we, the Chelsea Green employee-owners, have the perfect list to get you started on your next read! And if you’re looking for more, you can check out our full list of staff picks here!
We’ve long heard that we need to plant trees—in order to sequester carbon, to restore wildlife habitat, to decrease soil erosion… But what if the message to plant trees is an oversimplified one? That is precisely what Hannah Lewis proposes in Mini-Forest Revolution, introducing readers to a forest-planting method developed by the late Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. Miyawaki shifts the proposition. We don’t need to plant trees; or at least not just any trees, anywhere. We need to create intact ecosystems of native vegetation that more adeptly perform the above functions and many more. I love discovering layers of nuance that previously eluded me, and reading Hannah’s book was certainly that kind of experience. (The concept of planting native forests is, itself, only one piece of the puzzle.) She also happens to be a beautiful storyteller who takes her readers on a global adventure to explore a burgeoning movement. —Natalie Wallace, Editor |
With food security, scarcity, and shortages dominating headlines, I’ve become increasingly interested in the viability of growing my own nut trees. Also: what could be more practical—and hopeful—then creating my own edible environment that includes almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans? In Cold-Hardy Fruits and Nuts, authors Allyson Levy and Scott Serrano have given me all the tools I need to make these nut tree dreams a reality. The information in this book is detailed, easy-to-use, and practical in that it presents each plant species with helpful sub-headings like: growth difficulty rating; taste profile; pollination and soil condition requirements; hardiness ratings; cultivars; and invasive plant warnings. On top of that, the photography throughout is outstanding! This book is going to be a go-to resource for years and years to come! ——Sean Maher, Director of Marketing and Sales Analytics |
Pascal Baudar never disappoints. His newest release, Wildcrafted Vinegars, is a must-have for any wild food or fermentation enthusiast! Wildcrafted Vinegars challenged me to think of using homemade vinegar in a whole range of dishes that never crossed my mind (desserts, soups, jams, who knew?!) Whether foraging ingredients, harvesting from your garden, or getting them from your local grocery store, Pascal gives the perfect mix of experience and encouragement to experiment on your own. And if you are looking for additional inspiration and mouth-watering eye candy, his Instagram is one of my favorites. Drop him a follow at @PascalBaudar for some added motivation and stunning photography. —Gretchen Kruesi, Director of Digital Development |
As a self-proclaimed ciderhead, I was intrigued by Cider Planet at first sight. While I thought I knew plenty about cider before reading, this book showed me that there’s always more to learn. As I read Cider Planet, the book continuously opened my eyes to all the small details and intricacies that go into global cidermaking. From detailed histories of the world’s oldest cider-producing regions to descriptions of different apple varieties and orchard practices, author Claude Jolicoeur packs a punch of valuable cider-related knowledge into every page. Whether you’re a skilled cider maker, someone who’s curious about making cider, or simply a cider lover like myself, this book is sure to be the apple of your eye. —Lani Panico, Digital Marketing Associate |
What better gift to give or receive than Our Wild Farming Life by Lynn Cassells and Sandra Baer of Lynbreck Croft! I’ve been following their story since I first saw them on BBC 2’s This Farming Life and was so excited when I found out they had continued telling their story in a book. I daydream of having a homestead (and living in Scotland!) and was captivated by their incredible adventure. I was even more inspired listening to Lynn’s retelling of their story through the audiobook! —Kirsten Drew, Publishing Partnerships Manager |
Recommended Reads
Recent Articles
Interested in growing trees? Here are some tips on successfully planting, transplanting, and pruning trees to create a flourishing forest garden! The following is an excerpt from The Home-Scale Forest Garden by Dani Baker. It has been adapted for the web. Planting Potted Trees and Shrubs If you order potted trees, check with your supplier to…
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Read MoreGarlic mustard: while known as “invasive,” this plant can be consumed in its entirety and has great nutritional value. Plus, the garlic-flavor is a perfect addition to any recipe that calls for mustard! The following are excerpts from Beyond the War on Invasive Species by Tao Orion and The Wild Wisdom of Weeds by Katrina…
Read MoreEveryone loves a refreshing, fermented, nutritious drink…even your garden! Take your fermentation skills out of the kitchen and into the garden by brewing fermented plant juice. The following is an excerpt from The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to Garden Amendments by Nigel Palmer. It has been adapted for the web. How to Make Fermented Plant Juice Fermented…
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