Book Giveaway

The Winner of Wild Fermentation is Megan & the winner of Root Cellaring is Brittney! Congratulations! I’ll be emailing you both shortly.
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I thought since I’m going to kick off 30 Days to a Better Garden next week, it would be fun to start off with a giveaway. I have two books that I hope you’ll be in desperate need of after we spend this summer improving our gardens. Both are about food preservation, Wild Fermentation & Root Cellaring. After experimenting with kimchi this past winter, both Erin and, well, Amazon recommended that I try Wild Fermentation. It’s a fun book and makes me feel a little bit like a mad scientist in the kitchen. The book explains in detail what fermentation is and give plenty of great recipes to try out. And Root Cellaring is probably the most comprehensive book out there on the subject. Not only does it cover how to build a root cellar, but also how to find sneaky spots in your house or apartment that you could turn into root cellars. Plus it lists pretty much every single vegetable imaginable and explains all the different ways on how you can cellar it to last longer.
Wild Kitchen Science
All you have to do to win is to leave me a comment and let me know what garden tips you’d like to learn more about over the month of June and I’ll pick a random number next Friday, June 5th. Good luck! Oh, and come back next week to take part in 30 Days to a Better Garden!

Comments

  1. says

    I’ve read about freezing raw eggs. Any experience out there that you know of? Now while they are abundant, I am thinking of how to have them during the winter dry spell.

    xx(crossed fingers)xx Root Cellar book. I may just have to find it myself!

  2. says

    I would like a resource to help me naturally fight diseases on/in plants. Another topic of interest is making healthy soil and crop rotation.

    Thanks for the blog.

  3. says

    Oh, either book would be a needed resource! =) I would like to be better at saving seeds – specifically of the squash family (one veggie at a time). Mine have molded in the past but when I threw ’em into the compost pile they sprouted just fine! *sigh*

    Have not tried arugula or radish yet (currently blooming).

    Thanks!

  4. says

    I’m always gathering information about container gardening and guerrilla gardening–really any method of growing food for city dwellers would be helpful. I’m still trying to find the best heirloom vegetables to grow in containers, my tomato attempts this year don’t seem to be thriving. And, of course, what to do with the harvest. We’ve bought a dehydrator this year and I’m hoping to become a master at canning and drying by fall!

  5. Cyndi says

    I would love to learn more about rotating crops during the year. I’m confused on when to plant the new stuff after the old stuff is gone and also does companion planting matter when doing this….

    Next year do I need to put crops in different places – like move my tomatoes to the other side of the garden to help the soil or is that really necessary.

    I’m learning so much about storing the food I’m growing as far as canning and such – root cellaring is something that I’m going to start exploring this summer so I can do that with some of my fall crops-so I’m hoping for bumper crops to be able to store.

  6. says

    I would like to learn better seed sowing techniques. Mine seem to come up so haphazardly: whether I direct sow, chit them first, or even grow in 6 packs and then plant out.

  7. kitter says

    I’d love to learn about your pest & disease management techniques. One challenge we have year after year is mildew on our squashes, always resulting in pulling out the plants early (too sad). We’re in the East Bay – so similar climate… any tips you have would be appreciated!
    Thank you!

  8. says

    That root cellaring book is on my wish list. I keep borrowing it from the library.

    I’d like to learn about propagation techniques. How to divide plants, take cuttings, root branches etc.

  9. Jonelle says

    I need to learn so much, my list is way long:

    Preserving food but not necessarily canning (too hot in AR summers!!)
    Seed varieties suited to hot/humid southern weather
    SLUG CONTROL!!!
    How often to fertilize
    No-till gardening
    Mulching – Which variety works the best?
    Growing fruit

    I could likely go on, but these are at the top of my list right now.

  10. Betsy says

    I want to learn more about having 2 plantings in the same season and how to know how much water to give my garden. I love your blog!

  11. Michelle Heran says

    I’d say, lots of lovely pics! :)

    Also, it may be really basic but I could always use tips about knowing when a vegetable/fruit is ready for harvest -and what you can do if you harvest too early or too late.

    Propagation, crop rotation, and planning/starting a winter garden are all interesting too! Just keep up the great work (and pics)! :)

  12. says

    I would love to read both of these books!

    I’ll be echoing some of the previous posters when I say I’d like to know more about taking cuttings, the best way to deal with rose pests (especially sawfly larvae!), and mulching (which I am a little scared of).

    Thanks! I am a new reader and enjoying the blog very much so far!

    Amy

  13. Heather says

    Any tips are always welcome as someone new to veggie gardening. How about tips on growing veggies in containers or limited space gardening.

    Love all the pictures!

  14. Stacy says

    I’m interested in getting more information on container gardening. We are moving at the end of the summer so I couldn’t garden in the ground this year and my results in containers so far hasn’t been very good.
    I’d be interested in either book.

  15. Sonja says

    How about succession planting in the heat of summer? Are there varieties or techniques that can get growing in June or July? And maybe tips on making a root cellar condition in a pantry or hallway? Keep it up! I appreciate how you energize me with ideas.

    Sonja in West County

  16. Carlene says

    I would love to win both books, but I want to read Root Cellaring. I have a garden and storage is a problem for me. I need to learn more about storing my fruit and vegatables.
    Thanks
    Carlene
    iluvreading(at)verizon.net

  17. Belinda says

    I would like to learn all of the natural pest repellents and how to grow strong seedlings in a house with storm windows.
    Thanks!

  18. Lesley says

    As a new gardener, I’d love a topic on the bare minimum of steps you need to take to ensure growth.

    Thanks!

  19. Becky says

    Hi! I’ve loved reading your blog over the last couple of months. I just built a raised bed in a reclaimed part of my lawn, and my sprinklers reach the bed…I’m concerned about all of the overhead watering, and my tomatoes are starting to have problems with blight. Any ideas on how to move forward?

  20. Michelle R. says

    Hi- I love your blog! I would love to learn more about when to plant seeds and transplants and how to save seeds. I am also going to try small pumpkins from seed and any tips would be great. Thanks!

  21. Paula H says

    I would like to learn how to get the most out of my garden. I want to know how to use every bit of space.

  22. Mary D says

    My daughter and I love your blog and we’re wondering how and if Heirloom seeds are the best to use, where you get them and how does one go about saving the seeds themselves? Neither of us care much for all the hybridization being done to our food crops!!!

  23. says

    Oh my gosh…a dream come true. These are both on my Amazon Wishlist!!

    I have really been struggling with organic pest control. The earwigs are relentless…and nothing I’ve done so far has helped. It’s making me very frustrated! So…maybe we could cover effective, organic pest control. I’m really looking forward to this…

  24. Kimberly says

    Hey, these books sound great. Thanks a lot for doing a draw!

    I’d like to read more on a couple of subjects. First, natural ways to keep squirrels out of the garden. They’re eating all of my strawberries and ruining my vegetable garden! Also, what’s the difference between planting seeds or seedlings that are certified “organic”, versus conventional? Given that as a gardener, I would not be using any pesticides or anything. Is there a difference?

  25. sandy says

    what to plant when- slug gardening- and there are people who grow tomatoes from hanging plants how?????

  26. says

    Thanks for the give-away! I’d like to learn more about preserving/canning. It’s something I just started last year and really enjoyed. Thanks! -Jackie

  27. christin says

    I would love more info on container gardening:) Thanks for the chance:)
    christinbanda(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

  28. Krissa says

    So many great questions have been posted! I have a big earwig problem and would love to know how to handle that. Also, any recommendations on planting in empty wine barrels.
    Thanks!

  29. Jenn says

    What have you found to be the best watering system? Do you water by hand, dripper, soaker hose, etc.? How often (and how long) do you personally water your garden?

  30. says

    Hi,
    I’d really like to know when to transplant cabbages and brussels sprouts for the fall/winter garden. Is it too early to put them in in July in the Bay Area?

    Also, how do you keep ants off artichoke plants?

  31. Susan says

    I am currently trying to learn more about growing and drying various herbs to use both in cooking and in making herbal medicinal infusions. I’m also trying to learn more about food preservation in general so I can build up a pantry stock.

  32. Kim says

    I would also be interested in saving seeds and how long you can store seeds. I would also like info on gardening year round.

  33. Tonya says

    I’ve heard so much about fermenting. I do my own salsa and applesauce, but it’s time to expand my horizons!

  34. courtneyb says

    Hi. I would love to know if you have any tips for keeping squirrels from eating everything in my vegetable garden. They usually wait for the vegies to be ready for harvesting and swoop in and eat everything. Thanks.

  35. says

    last year we had a larger garden and didnt know how to preserve all the food and we lost a lot. our garden is bigger this year, so would love to know the best way to store and preserve the fruits of our labor!

  36. Kimberly Ann says

    Hmmmmm, I’d like to know more about the best way to get tomatoes to really thrive (especially in an area like the Pacific Northwest).

  37. Deborah R says

    I’d like to know if there’s a schedule for planting so that you’re not harvesting everything in the same two week period. I’d also like to know what plants are companions in the garden.

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