“. . . we’re only as healthy as the environment in which we live.” This statement from the introduction to Grow Now is the underlying theme of this book. Every chapter makes a case for gardening beyond organic, rewilding your land, sequestering carbon, and supporting biodiversity.
In the chapter on composting Murphy explains multiple techniques which might be right for you and your home. She leads with how compost sequesters carbon, protects soil and soil structure, decreases runoff, and keeps food waste out of landfills. Murphy says, “You may have heard it said that if food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gasses following China and the United States.” The author then proceeds to back up this statement with statistics from the EPA. But not in a boring way!
With chapters on things like vermiculture, planning, mulching, and seed-starting Murphy covers the basics on almost everything.
Murphy has lots of wisdom to impart to both seasoned gardeners and those brand new to gardening. She’ll help novices start off on the right foot and can offer a new way of doing things for traditional backyard gardeners.