The Smart Veggie Patch: A complete system for growing nutritional, abundant organic produce to feed a family and save a planet

by Terry Memory

Terry Memory built his veggie patch for his family of eight after surviving the Black Saturday bushfires. Determined to become more self-reliant in this era of unpredictable weather events and worsening health caused by highly processed food, he designed a system that combines ancient agrarian traditions with the latest in science and technology to deliver massively increased yields while radically reducing workload.Terry's overview of the deteriorating state of our food supply will inspire you to take a step towards self-reliance, while his practical tips and how to's offer the tools you need to get going.Meticulously researched and passionately argued, with clear and accessible instructions, this is a book for anyone looking to cut costs, improve their health and save the planet.Praise for The Smart Veggie Patch'A powerful reminder of why we should all try to grow our own food.' - Matthew Evans and Sadie Chrestman' The Smart Veggie Patch is a razor-sharp call to action to take a personal stake in growing your own food. - Paul West, bestselling cookbook and gardening writer'Terry shares his family's garden journey with passion, honesty and a wealth of lived experience.' - Christina Giudici, co-founder of FIMBY - Food In My Back Yard

288 pages, Paperback

Published July 26, 2022

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. As an experienced gardener, I was really interested in the concept of a smart garden and was intrigued by the colour photos of their construction. However, this book is mostly actually about other things. The first 2/3rds if this book is actually an in-depth look on *why* you should garden (such as pesticides, reducing your impact, nutrition, reducing food waste). All very important topics, to be sure.

The last 1/3rd is supposedly about creating your smart garden but each chapter is only a couple of pages and feels very light on information. Yes, all the elements are important (for most gardens actually) but I read a few times that essentially you could look elsewhere for more detailed information.

I have very little experience in growing in a greenhouse 'style' garden (though mine is enclosed due to wildlife) so I picked up a couple of tips (such as the removal of panels for ventilation) though I think the construction would need to be modified for warmer locations (their farm is in Tasmania).

Things such as irrigation (for example) didn't list what they actually use, how it was constructed. It felt like it was more "install irrigation, with a solar pump so you don't need to worry about watering", which makes sense but ... Details? The practical aspects were missing.

I think the first sections were really well researched but when it came to the actual garden element I was left wanting more. Could someone follow this book and create their own smart garden? I don't believe so. They would still need to do alot of research to make it work, or already have a solid knowledge base. That's not to say there aren't positive elements in this book but it isn't what I thought it would be.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of the book depressingly reviews all the problems with our current food production systems. It takes up too much space given it’s preaching to the converted who have picked up this book.

When it gets into the practical it starts with an overwhelming and discouraging description of their incredibly costly and labour intensive set up and how it failed at first.

Some good points about automatic watering, foliar sprays etc but no practical specifics about how to implement things (which the author says is deliberate but is still unhelpful)

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit preachy, ok, more than a bit. It doesn't get to 'The Smart Veggie Patch' until two-thirds through, and then it only scrapes the surface. Interesting bit about soils, microbes and foliar sprays, but again, barely touches the subject. Also, broccoli and cauliflower foliage are completely edible and certainly not a waste of space and time in the garden. Might be ok for an absolute beginner, but if you picked up this book, I rather think you are already aware of all the problems in the world and don't need to be re-educated on this subject for the greater portion of the book.

[Kelly]

Yet another gardening book that overcomplicates growing food and makes people think they need to spend tens of thousands of dollars to set up a garden. Unsure how all this infrastructure (metal, plastic,timber,soil) is considered sustainable.

[Scott Mchappy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just blar