Grow Your Food Forest: A Permaculture Guide

Updated October 11, 2025
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The vegetable gardener's guide to permaculture : creating an edible ecosystem
Shein, Christopher.
Paper Book
"A useful and a wonderful resource whether you grow on a balcony, rooftop or in the ground." --Yolanda Burrell, owner of Pollinate Farm and Garden Supply Once a fringe topic, permaculture is moving to the mainstream as organic gardeners discover the wisdom of a simple system that emphasizes the...
Container gardening-the permaculture way : sustainably grow vegetables and more in your small space
Tsimba, Valaery
Paper Book
Permaculture-rooted in centuries-old techniques for growing food with care for the Earth-is the key to producing a bigger harvest than you ever thought possible on your balcony, patio, driveway, deck, and anywhere in between! With sustainability as her guiding principle, Valéry Tsimba...
Permaculture for beginners : the ultimate guide to natural farming and sustainable living
Faires, Nicole
Paper Book
Take your garden to the next level--organic, native, and natural! Permaculture is an important but often misunderstood method of growing food and building homes in a manner that works with nature, rather than against it, to create beautiful, healthy, and useful gardens....
Farming the woods : an integrated permaculture approach to growing food and medicinals in temperate forests
Mudge, Ken
Paper Book
The first in-depth guide for farmers and gardeners who have access to an established woodland and are looking for productive, innovative ways to create a natural forest ecosystems that produces a wide range of food, medicinals, and other non-timber products. "What a joy to...
Edible landscaping with a permaculture twist : how to have your yard and eat it too
Judd, Michael
Paper Book
Regenerative landscaping at its best! Edible Landscaping with a Permaculture Twist is a how-to manual for the budding gardener and experienced green thumb alike, full of creative and easy-to-follow designs that guide you to having your yard and eating it, too. With the help of...
Integrated forest gardening : the complete guide to polycultures and plant guilds in permaculture systems
Weiseman, Wayne
Paper Book
This book is the first, and most comprehensive, guide about plant guilds ever written, and covers in detail both what guilds are and how to design and construct them, complete with extensive color photography and design illustrations. One of the essential practices of...
The layered edible garden : a beginner's guide to creating a productive food garden layer by layer
Chung, Christina (Horticulturist)
Paper Book
Design, plant, and tend a self-sustaining, high-yielding food garden that saves space by growing plants the way nature intended-in layers.
Perennial vegetables : from artichoke to zuiki taro, a gardener's guide to over 100 delicious, easy-to-grow edibles
Toensmeier, Eric.
Paper Book
ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award: Home & Garden American Horticultural Society Book Award In Perennial Vegetables the adventurous gardener will find information, tips, and sound advice on less common edibles that will make any garden a perpetual, low...
The seven-step homestead : a guide for creating the backyard microfarm of your dreams
Webb, Leah M.
Paper Book
Perfect for any aspiring backyard gardeners, this book offers a doable, incremental program for turning any yard into a primary food source with vegetables, fruits, chickens, pollinator plants, and medicinal herbs. Today's gardeners want a bit of everything-...
Paradise lot : two plant geeks, one-tenth of an acre, and the making of an edible garden oasis in the city
Toensmeier, Eric.
Paper Book
In this vivid and engaging work, Eric Toensmeier entices us with his journey as an example, explaining what to do, and what mistakes to avoid, to develop our own versions of an edible urban paradise."--Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia's Garden When Eric Toensmeier and...
How to grow perennial vegetables
Crawford, Martin
Paper Book
How to Grow Perennial Vegetables gives comprehensive advice on all types of perennial vegetables, from ground-cover plants and coppiced trees to plants for bog gardens and edible woodland plants. Perennial vegetables are a joy to grow. Whereas traditional vegetable...
Gardening for everyone : growing vegetables, herbs, and more at home
Watkins, Julia
Paper Book
A guide to creating and growing a backyard garden simply and sustainably--from planning to planting to harvest, with profiles of essential vegetables and herbs, ecological tips, and fun and creative projects Growing food in your backyard (or even on a porch or windowsill!)...
Midwest gardener's handbook : all you need to know to plan, plant & maintain a Midwest garden : Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Myers, Melinda
Paper Book
In this revised and updated 2nd edition of Midwest Gardener's Handbook, gardeners in the north central US are handed all the know-how they'll need to grow a lush, productive garden. If you live in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin...
The resilient gardener : food production and self-reliance in uncertain times
Deppe, Carol.
Paper Book
"The Resilient Gardener is so essential, timely and important, and I will recommend it to everyone I know. It doesn't matter if you garden or if you don't-this is practical wisdom good for humans to know."--Deborah Madison, Author of Local Flavors and Vegetarian Cooking for...
Plant partners : science-based companion planting strategies for the vegetable garden
Walliser, Jessica
Paper Book
2021 AHS Book Award Winner Companion planting has a long history of use by gardeners, but the explanation of why it works has been filled with folklore and conjecture. Plant Partners delivers a research-based rationale for this ever-popular growing technique, offering dozens of ways you can use...
Mini farming : self sufficiency on a 1/4 acre
Markham, Brett L.
Paper Book
Go back to basics--compost, raising chickens, water and irrigation, dealing with pests, and much more--with this unique, full color bestseller (over 400,000 sold). Mini Farming describes a holistic approach to small-area farming that will show you how to produce 85 percent...
Permaculture in pots : how to grow food in small urban spaces
Kemp, Juliet
Paper Book
In these times of rising food prices and renewed interest in all things local, growing food in cities is becoming the big urban trend. Permaculture in Pots shows you how to get started with whatever space you have available--appealing to those who feel powerless to meet...
A call to farms : reconnecting to nature, food, and community in a modern world
Grayson, Jennifer
Paper Book
Within a decade, nearly half of all American farmland will change hands as an older generation of farmers steps aside. In their place, a groundswell of new growers will face numerous challenges, including soil degradation, insufficient income, and investors devouring farmland at a staggering pace...
The Sioux chef's indigenous kitchen
Sherman, Sean
Paper Book
2018 James Beard Award Winner: Best American Cookbook Named one of the Best Cookbooks of 2017 by NPR, The Village Voice, Smithsonian Magazine, UPROXX, New York Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Mpls. St....
The living soil handbook : the no-till grower's guide to ecological market gardening
Frost, Jesse
Paper Book
The ultimate resource for growers interested in no-till market gardening, sustainable agriculture principles, and farm-tested practices for healthier, more productive soil From the host of the popular The No-Till Market Garden Podcast--heard around the world with nearly one...
Held by the land : a guide to indigenous plants for wellness
Joseph, Leigh
Paper Book
The beautifully illustrated Held by the Land guides you through the traditional uses and properties of a selection of indigenous plants.
New Native kitchen : celebrating modern recipes of the American Indian
Bitsoie, Freddie
Paper Book
Celebrate modern Indigenous cuisine with this beautiful cookbook from the renowned Native foods educator and former chef of Mitsitam Native Foods Café at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. This groundbreaking cookbook brings together modern interpretations of...
Growing perennials in cold climates
Heger, Mike.
Paper Book
Revised and updated, this all-in-one guide designed for northern-tier gardeners from coast to coast features: * more than 2,000 varieties proven to thrive in cold climates* five-star ratings to help you choose top-performing perennials * new selections of varieties with...
Sam Thayer's field guide to edible wild plants of eastern & central North America
Thayer, Samuel
Paper Book
Eastern North America is one of the richest foraging landscapes in the world, with a wild abundance of fruits, berries, nuts, roots, tubers, shoots, flowers, seeds, and leafy greens. This guide is the key to unlocking the nutritional and culinary secrets of the natural bounty around us. As the most...
A guide to wild food foraging : proper techniques for finding and preparing nature's flavorful edibles
Squire, David
Paper Book
The benefits of foraging for food are far and wide. Whether you're looking for ways to become more self-sufficient, save money, or develop healthier habits, this guide is an extensive on-the-go directory of more than 100 profiles for wild plants, herbs, fruits, nuts, mushrooms, seaweeds, and...
How to forage for wild foods without dying : an absolute beginner's guide to identifying 40 edible wild plants
Zachos, Ellen
Paper Book
This on-the-go guide is perfect for new foragers eager to learn about the edible plants they're most likely to find, no matter what region they're in, and provides photos and easy-to-follow identification and use guidelines for the 40 most common--and most delicious--wild plants. ...
The heirloom gardener : traditional plants & skills for the modern world
Forti, John
Paper Book
"Part essay collection, part gardening guide, The Heirloom Gardener encourages readers to embrace heirloom seeds and traditions, serving as a well-needed reminder to slow down and reconnect with nature." --Modern Farmer Modern life is a...
Edible & medicinal wild plants of the Midwest
Alfs, Matthew
Paper Book
The potential benefits of wild plants for human health and well-being are wide-ranging. But, knowing which plants to use, and how, for edible and medicinal purposes requires a deep understanding of the characteristics and qualities of these species in the wild. Whether you are seeking an herbal...
Wildcrafted fermentation : exploring, transforming, and preserving the wild flavors of your local terroir
Baudar, Pascal
Paper Book
Learn how to make flavorful fermented foods--from wild edibles!--with this fermentation cookbook featuring 100+ plant-based recipes for krauts and kimchis, brines, cheeses, and more. "I am in awe of this book"―Sandor Katz, author of The Art of Fermentation
Essential guide to perennial gardening : techniques and know-how for planning, planting, and tending low-maintenance perennial plantings
Paper Book
From the foremost authority on gardening in North America comes the American Horticultural Society Essential Guide to Perennial Gardening, a comprehensive reference book about growing perennial plants.
Medicinal perennials to know and grow
Jason, Dan
Paper Book
Growing your own medicine is empowering--learn how with plant activists Dan Jason and Rupert Adams. Many common, easy-to-grow plants can energize or soothe, stimulate the immune system, aid in sleep or digestion, help to heal injuries, change blood pressure, reverse inflammation, soothe a...
Fermented vegetables : creative recipes for fermenting 64 vegetables & herbs in krauts, kimchis, brined pickles, chutneys, relishes & pastes
Shockey, Kirsten
Paper Book
Master the techniques for making sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, and other savory, probiotic-rich foods in your own kitchen.This easy-to-follow, comprehensive guide presents more than 120 recipes for fermenting 64 different vegetables and herbs. Learn the basics, and then refine your technique...
The perennial kitchen : simple recipes for a healthy future
Dooley, Beth
Paper Book
Recipes and resources connect thoughtfully grown, gathered, and prepared ingredients to a healthy future--for food, farming, and humankind Knowing how and where food is grown can add depth and richness to a dish, whether a meal of slow-roasted short ribs on creamy polenta, a...
The Midwest native plant primer : 225 plants for an earth-friendly garden
Branhagen, Alan
Paper Book
Bring your garden to life--and life to your garden! Do you want a garden that makes a real difference? Choose plants native to our Midwest region. The rewards will benefit you, your yard, and the environment--from reducing maintenance tasks to attracting earth...
Native plants of the Midwest : a comprehensive guide to the best 500 species for the garden
Branhagen, Alan
Paper Book
Native Plants of the Midwest, by regional plant expert Alan Branhagan, features the best native plants in the heartland and offers clear and concise guidance on how to use them in the garden. Plant profiles for more than 500 species of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, ground covers,...
Grow native : bringing natural beauty to your garden
Steiner, Lynn M.
Paper Book
Learn how to transform your yard into a beautiful landscape using native plants! You don't have to compromise beauty for natural landscapes with ecological responsibility and sustainability. In master gardener Lynn Steiner's book Grow Native, you'll find guidance for planting...
Essential perennials : the complete reference to 2700 perennials for the home garden
Clausen, Ruth Rogers
Paper Book
Essential Perennials focuses on what every gardener needs to know to choose from the thousands of perennials available, and care for the ones you already have. This A-to-Z guide is packed with more than 2,700 plants, with each entry listing flower color, bloom time,...
Designing and planting a woodland garden : plants and combinations that thrive in the shade
Wiley, Keith
Paper Book
"The wonder of woodland gardening is that it looks like plants grow themselves there. After reading this book, gardeners can make that happen." --Publishers Weekly Woodlands are magical places and even small gardens can capture the atmosphere with carefully chosen trees...
Lawn gone! : low-maintenance, sustainable, attractive alternatives for your yard
Penick, Pam.
Paper Book
A colorful guide covering the basics of replacing a traditional lawn with a wide variety of easy-care, no-mow, drought-tolerant, money-saving options that will appeal to today's busy, eco-conscious homeowner. Homeowners spend billions of hours-and dollars-watering, mowing, and...
Original local : indigenous foods, stories, and recipes from the Upper Midwest
Erdrich, Heid E.
Paper Book
 Local foods have garnered much attention in recent years, but the concept is hardly new: indigenous peoples have always made the most of nature's gifts. Their menus were truly the "original local," celebrated here in sixty home-tested recipes paired with profiles of tribal activists, food...
Native plant gardening for birds, bees, & butterflies. Upper Midwest
Daniels, Jaret C.
Paper Book
Plan Your Landscape or Garden to Help Beloved Backyard Visitors The presence of birds, bees, and butterflies suggests a healthy, earth-friendly place. These most welcome guests also bring joy to those who appreciate watching them. Now, you can turn your yard into a perfect habitat...
Ball blue book of preserving
Paper Book
The Ball Blue Book of Preserving is the classic American guide to keeping fresh-tasting food on hand. Here you will find answers to every food preservation question, including vacuum sealing and packing with the Tilia FoodSaver, as well as unique gift-giving ideas.
Attainable sustainable : the lost art of self-reliant living
Bordessa, Kris
Paper Book
Packed with delicious recipes, natural remedies, gardening know-how, homesteading advice, and more, this indispensable lifestyle reference makes earth-friendly, off-the-grid living approachable and fulfilling. Whether you live in a city, suburb, or the country, this essential...
Seed to plate, soil to sky : modern plant-based recipes using Native American ingredients
Frank, Lois Ellen
Paper Book
Winner of Two IACP Awards Food Issues & Matters * Health & Nutrition This enriching cookbook celebrates eight important plants Native Americans introduced to the rest of the world: corn, beans, squash, chile, tomato, potato, vanilla, and...
The good berry cookbook : harvesting and cooking wild rice and other wild foods
Hart, Tashia
Paper Book
Explore the natural history, ecological contributions, and cultural significance of manoomin (wild rice), and savor complementary wild foods and local flavors with more than seventy-five inspired recipes, including favorites from over a dozen Indigenous cooks from various nations. ...
Wild life : 50 projects to rewild your life from the home to outdoors
Carlile, Anna
Paper Book
Wild Life is an achingly beautiful gift book that introduces the concept of rewilding. No matter whether you live in the mountains, by the coast, along the banks of a river or in the inner-city, this book is your passport to disconnect from one world and reconnect with...

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