I discussed good books to read if you’re interested in urban gardening a few weeks ago here. In the interest of finding more books like this, I picked up the book City Farmer by Lorraine Johnson, and at first, I was skeptical. After all, it kind of seems like everyone and their mother-in-law is writing a book about urban gardening these days. The bookstores are filled with them, and it’s often difficult to know which ones will offer new insight or at least be a fun read. Also, I was feeling pretty smug, having already been back in Toronto for eight months, and thought “Who is this Lorraine Johnson, I’ve never even heard of her!”
Turns out, who Lorraine Johnson is, is Awesome. She is an author who stays grounded about the potential of urban farming while writing a book that is filled with hope and humour – actual humour that makes you laugh while reading. An extremely useful book, by virtue of it Canadian focus, it details the creativity and versatility of urban gardening throughout this country, which is often missed by the many urban ag books by American writers. City Farmer is broken down into chapters on topics such as Guerrilla Gardening, innovative garden spaces, urban chicken keeping and the strength of gardens as community spaces. Though it is not a how-to book (no in-depth information on chicken coop blueprints to be found), it is studded with info boxes: from shade plants to grow, to edible weeds and flowers, to compost building, which all support the narrative rather than overwhelming it.
An excellent book for those familiar with growing food in the city or for the complete neophyte; City Farmer reminds the reader that the greatest strength of urban gardens is their creativity, inspiring you to new innovation at home and, perhaps, to guerrilla action in the street.
down the garden path 