The Earth Care Manual: A Permaculture Handbook for Britain and Other Temperate Climates

by Patrick Whitefield

The long-awaited exploration of permaculture specifically for cooler Northern Hemisphere climates is finally here! Already regarded as the definitive book on the subject, The Earth Care Manual is accessible to the curious novice as much as it is essential for the knowledgeable practitioner. Permaculture started out in the 1970s as a sustainable alternative to modern agriculture, taking its inspiration from natural ecosystems. It has always placed an emphasis on gardening, but since then it has expanded to include many other aspects, from community design to energy use. It can be seen as an overall framework that puts a diversity of green ideas into perspective. Its aims are low work, high output, and genuine sustainability.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Environment, Nature, Ecology, Outdoors, Green

482 pages, Hardcover

First published March 30, 2005

Reviews

[PJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hefty volume, weighing in at 450+ letter-sized pages (and about $80!) is no breezy novel, but I'm almost done with it and would highly recommend it to others. It's almost like a permaculture coursework, covering all of the essential topics in quite a bit of detail, with lots of photos, charts and illustrations. It was recommended to me by Peter Bane, a permaculture teacher well-known in the US (and publisher of the wonderful Permaculture Activist magazine). He didn't steer me wrong. One of the most valuable books in my collection!

[Kj Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! A brilliantly thorough guide to permaculture in the UK (or similar climate) that's comprehensive without assuming knowledge so even a newbie like me can enjoy it!

[Alisa Kester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love British gardening books because they are nearly exactly the same climate as me, but they come with a much better mindset. I find, whenever I want to try something different, American authors frequently flat-out say it won't work, while the Brits say they've been doing it successfully for years!

[D]

I didn't rate this book, because I only read the smaller Basics section (136 pgs) and skipped the Specifics section (another 280ish pgs) simply because I didn't need that depth of knowledge at the time. I'd consider buying the book though, based on the first part and as a standalone, would give it at least 4 stars. Very well written, thoughtful and well-considered, balanced, and clear. I took something from every chapter and it's already taught me how to look at systems all around me differently. Work, recreation, domestic, etc. Not to mention gardening/farming of course, but that's for a future endeavor. No flash imagery like many newer books have, but some good graphs and some photos too. The book is about Britain but extrapolates to many temperate areas, so I'd probably expect this book to help someone in Canada (like myself), more than a book from Australia/New Zealand.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this author easier to read than Bill Mollison. The content is similar (at least with my minimal level of understanding) to Bill Mollison. Bill Mollison's books seem to mostly be about planning (e.g. mapping the slope of your land) and organization. This book is pretty similar in that regard too. Personally, I would like something less abstract and with more gardening techniques.

All in all this is one of the best permaculture books I've read, but still lacking for my tastes.

[Jackie Bridgen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used this on the SLU with Patrick - just the ultimate text book, can't rate it highly enough.

[Janice Bridger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book, I didn’t realise that I was looking for it though and found it by serendipity in a small pile of 2nd hand books and it only cost me £2! It’s all the permaculture info and background that I would ever need to know. What to grow, soil types, best plants, design and I will dip into it again and again. It’s all backed up by research yet I can understand it all. Everything discussed has its pros and cons clearly listed. It all applies to the UK and similar climates- there’s nothing worse than getting a book that has about everywhere but where you live! I already sent for some Siberian pea seeds which apparently are good for foraging hens!! Yes they do grow in the UL as long as you can get them to germinate!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for any bookshelf!

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for anyone looking to make their locality a little better in a practical, hands on way. Comprehensive and so well-written!