Grow or Die: The Good Guide to Survival Gardening Paperback – April 13, 2016

I wish I could write fiction as entertaining as this informative book. I loved the small format because it's convenient to stash and read anywhere. It won't take long to "devour" this inspiring volume, though, and I only wish I'd gotten Mr. Good's companion book on composting at the same time. The most surprising concept I took away is the importance of Crop Rotation, even for a home-gardener. I'd presumed it was only for commercial farming, but the idea of "tricking" the insects (by keeping them on their 6-sets of toes?) makes sense now that the author lays it out. He also has me keen on trying grain corn that I'll then be able turn into homemade grits (my husband favorite breakfast side).The author even includes what I'd consider the most amazing and useful plant in the world (pp. 132-134): Moringa. It is truly a "miracle tree" which I had first read about a couple of years ago in researching natural water-filtration. I had no idea it could be grown in the southern states as a crop!To close, I'm still a little annoyed that Mr. Good seems to have a grudge against a vegetable that, perhaps, should-not-be-named (zucchinni)? Maybe because Z's are recalcitrant, too low-cal, or that they take poorly to storage? Who knows. ;-) Regardless, the book is the inspiration I've been needing to give up on the "perfect" container-garden and get back to the good ol' ground that I've got kind of garden.

Once again, David the Good has inflicted upon the world yet another of his maniacal screeds. Will he ever stop?I hope not. I've had an interest in gardening my whole life (thanks to my mother and my grandfather.) But I've only recently really gotten into it after a few false starts, and David's books have helped me already. This one will be no different...Winter is Coming.The book itself is exactly what it purports to be. It's a basic guide to gardening, enough to get you growing in the event of The End Of The World As We Know It. Hopefully, you'll read it and get started before then. The book contains helpful chapters on what to grow, how to grow it, where to find what to grow, and a bit here and there on what to do with what you've grown. It contains a lot of useful information about fertilizers and composting, and his other book, Compost Everything, (which I dubbed "The Necronomicon of Composting") is an excellent companion-guide.While it is geared towards the survivalist/prepper types, I'd be comfortable giving this book to anyone who had an interest in gardening but no knowledge of the subject. It really is a good book to get people started. Christmas / Hannukah / Favored Winter Holiday is coming up; it's an excellent gift idea.As usual, it is written in his witty, entertaining, conversational style, which for many people can more intuitive and educational than a dry textbook. As this is the Kindle edition, I'll gladly buy a dead-tree as soon as it is available.My only complaint is that he did not include a science fiction story within the book so it could be nominated for a Hugo.

After finishing this book, I felt inspired to go out and grow anything and everything I could.The daylight and the reality of living in an apartment squashed this compulsion, for now, but I'll pick it back up when I no longer have these constraints.There's a bit of it that's not applicable to those north of the climate of Florida but the rest seems to be good information for anyone wanting to learn how to grow food as a hobby or more.I did have one gripe with the author. If you have cornmeal and a little fat to fry it in, can you really say that okra is inedible?

I haven't yet broken ground on my vegetable garden, but was looking for a light read that would introduce the various topics and concepts involved. That's exactly what I got from this book. It was relatively short, easy to read, and pretty damn funny too - I enjoy David's style.The book covered a wide array of factors to consider when gardening for sustenance, but didn't delve too deep into any one subject nor did it provide detailed step-by-step instructions for building a garden. That was perfectly fine with me, because I'm not ready for all of that quite yet - I just wanted to familiarize myself with the ideas. I will use David's book as a launching pad to explore other more detailed books on specific gardening techniques, and delve deeper into the crops which are best suited for my particular growing region. David provides numerous recommendations for other authors and sources of knowledge. I especially appreciated his comments on tools, and composting - I will probably pick up his composting book next.

Five years ago, Florida native wrote great book for beginners and a fun read for the more experienced. This book is best suited for Hardiness Zones 9 or 10, but there's good information for everyone. Author communicates a mental template for survival gardening thinking to the overwhelmed and newly interested. With a heavy dose of levity and personality, David the Good gets you on the path to food security. His references point you to your next mentors on your journey.I am especially thankful for the introduction to various types of hoes and their uses. Not because it was the most thorough breakdown of manual farming tools but because he merely mentioned them and basically said his brief opinion. That is the true essence and value of this book. Brief and to the point. This book is a signpost indicating the beginning of the trail you've been looking for. That, in my opinion, is extremely valuable because in order to get where you want to go you have to know where you are.I have no complaints at all and would recommend to anyone interested in food security.

Interesting, fun, and helpful in some ways. Author raised, and answered, questions about survival gardening that I had not considered. On the other hand the author lives in Florida and my garden is in northwest Montana so I have to take some of what he suggests with a grain of realistic salt.

If you want an interesting and funny book that will also help you survive the apocalypse then this is the book for you.David takes you through the process of setting up a completely self sufficient food growing system with minimal inputs, machinery or tools. Based on his own experience as a one-time Master Gardener, small holder and self confessed gardening anarchist, Good writes in an entertaining and interesting style.Actually, that's one of the books strong suits - even if you're not interested much in prepping or gardening, the author writes in such a comedic style, even the lay person can be entertained.I learned a lot and am now off to rip up my patio, dig a pit latrine and hide in my attic with a crossbow.

Informative & funny, this guy knows his stuff, grow your own, stop eating crap

Don't want to die? Love growing things? Never had a gardening book make you laugh before? Always wanted to make your own hooch? Then this book is for you... And your friends... And your family... And your work colleagues... Anyone in your life not looking to die.

Funny, well written, and loaded with practical info on how to get going on your own food supply. Started growing after reading this (albeit in a limited capacity compared to what this guy does) but my crops are doing very well so far this summer. Just don't wanna die? Get this book.

Great, useful info as well as an interesting read. Delves into practical tips and ideas with pros and cons to a variety of gardening methods. Good read