Grounded: A Gardener's Journey to Abundance and Self-Sufficiency

by Liz Zorab

If you want to grow your own food, become more self sufficient, zero waste or eco friendly, or even go fully off grid, Liz Zorab is the perfect guide to help you explore the world of green living and permaculture.

Grounded is the story of her gardening journey: from bare field to bountiful feast; from poor soil to fertile abundance; from rookie errors to successful sustainability. Liz and her husband, Mr J, transformed a tired 0.8 acre field into a fertile homestead that provides 80% of their food and drink with enough left over to stock a community veggie box scheme!

An inspiring blend of practical tips and ideas with personal narrative and a good smattering of humour, Grounded will show you how to:

* Fill your garden without emptying your pocket

* Be creative with resources

* Make the most of the space you have

* Achieve more without exhausting yourself

* Enjoy the process as much as the results

This is a tale of courage and imagination that will inspire you to grow your own productive paradise and live your dreams.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Memoir, Food

224 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2021

Reviews

[Erik Fazekas · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best gardening-related books I have read in a long while. Although this is not a gardening handbook, more of a personal memoir and life of a garden - it gives readers so much insight in what's happening behind the curtains.
I am kneeling and weeding my own gardening journey and it is so good to see and learn from others. I will definitely re-read this in the winter months.
Good luck to Liz, Mr J and Byther Farm!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding, transparent account of of gardening and growing with immense intention through seasonal difficulties in the garden and in health. Liz is a wonder, and she makes everything REAL. something important to newer or dejected gardeners, particularly those with chronic health or precarious mental wellness. Beautiful.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was so much of Liz's story that I could relate to, and I'm feeling incredibly inspired by what she's accomplished on her homestead.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that is a pleasant surprise. Expecting a story of plants and a garden instead it is a mini biography of risk and recovery AND the patient development of a food garden meant to both sustain and delight. There is more than meets the eye and it is an engrossing tale, plainly told, with growing confidence and abundance. It is both entirely believable and charming. I have been eyeing crates discarded at the curb in my neighbourhood, ever since reading it.
Her and companion J's "later in life" journey to food security stands as a tribute to determination and resourcefulness.

[Rhonwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, a must read for any gardener.

[Nancy Rudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading about the journey of starting a new smallholding/homestead and the personal growth and changes as well.

[Tufty McTavish · Rating 4 out of 5]

More a story of life and health than a gardening how-to, and perhaps more enjoyable because of it.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I follow Liz on social media she is a wealth of knowledge and this book proves that you dont need alot of cash to change the way you live.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

An inspiring read - at a time when I needed it. I too have a very windy, wet garden and it's great to see what can be achieved when the elements can be against you.

[Vicki Hanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A honest and chtty account of starting a small holding with all the highs and lows

[Lisann Gurney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring!!

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book I couldn't put down. The more I read, the more I felt like the author was someone I'd like for a friend. This book is her story of how her half-acre farm gave her the peace and strength she needed as she deals with seasonal affective disorder. I do as well, so her journey gave me the same. She found the garden to be a healing place as many people have. It does the same for me. If you'd like to find greater peace or healing in your life, read this book. Liz Zorab will inspire you!

[Romy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a quick and lovely book to read! Be aware that this is not a gardening handbook but like it states on the front: the story of a gardeners journey! There are so many bits of useful information throughout though, that I had a highlighter in hand constantly. The only thing that I missed were drawings or clearer pictures of some of the builds in the garden, that Liz describes in detail but make not much sense to me, without a visual aid. Definitely going to do a deep dive on the authors youtube channel now!

[Camilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stuff i wanted to know was left out the book, the stuff i already knew was in the book, but it was good to have it repeated and it was an enjoyable, easy read. I would have liked to know more about handling the ducks and chickens (eg there is the briefest of mentions about ‘dispatching’ them, I would have thought there was a lot of say about this topic and how Liz handled it - emotionally at least).

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very accessible gardening guide (located in the UK) and autobiography. I would have liked more content on unusual and rare fruits and vegetables, although there is a list of perennial vegetables.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful memoir of both a couple and their garden. With gardening 101 sprinkled throughout

[Mardel Fehrenbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable memoir, more about the journey than actually useful information about gardening. Still an enjoyable and quick read.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspiring tale of creating a food forest on little acreage while in poor health. It made me want to get off my backside and do better with my gardening.

[Dark Luna Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t give a lot of books 5 stars, but this one sure deserves it. Liz is amazing inspiration and I can’t wait to get back out sewing my garden

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and inspiring book with lots of good advice.