Exploring Sustainability Myths and Solutions

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(December 5, 2021) Do you know how to garden sustainably? Is there a difference between regenerative and permaculture gardening? Do those labels matter? Does “companion planting” work? Can you control inputs to your food garden? We attempt to answer some of those questions with author Robert Kourik. He just released his new book, Sustainable Food Gardens. We’ll be exploring some of the sustainability myths and solutions that he lays out in this massive new work.

Of course, we can’t answer all of those questions in one interview. In one sense, Kourik has been writing this book his whole life. Yes, he’s published 17 other books. including Designing and Maintaining Your Edible Landscape–Naturally. Written in 1986, it’s still in print. He has received two gold-metal awards from the Garden Writers of America and has penned more than 100 freelance articles, including seven for the New York Times. However, he states that he received much of his training in the “School of Hard Knocks.” And he says he’s still trying to graduate. That’s important because he calls himself out for myths he spread in the past that he now realizes could have been better vetted.

But he explores sustainability myths from the real world. He has designed water gardens, paths and patios, elegant arbors, habitat gardens, innovative home playgrounds, outdoor barbecue areas, deer-resistant gardens and more. This book is, in some sense, a culmination of all that other work. It will help you think about how to grow food smarter. You’ll certainly get some great tips.

Chock full of stuff

For starters, Kourik covers food gardens, conserving resources, forest gardens, container plants, natural fertilizers and roots. He loves talking about roots. He also writes about permaculture. It works in tropical and sub-tropical areas, but what about temperate climates? Additionally, there’s a lot of practical advice. These are his “Golden Rules for Edible Landscaping.”

• Plan in Advance: Make Your Mistakes on Paper, Not in Your Landscape
• Start Ever So Small
• Plant Your Annual Vegetables and Herbs No Further from the Kitchen than You Can Throw the Kitchen Sink
• Be Lazy: Let Nature Work for You
• Time and Money Spent Early Mean Time and Money Saved Later
• Try to Grow Plants that Serve More than One Use

Kourik has plenty of lists. In an homage to the “Victory Gardens” of World War II, he offers 40 tips about how to be more victorious in your own garden. He lists which invasive plants to keep at arm’s length. He tells you which plants will “grow” nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Kourik explains how to attract beneficial insects. Finally, there are charts and illustrations. Tons of them. They’ll help you understand his concepts.

Today, we talk to Robert Kourik about his life’s passion, which is now in print. There’s way more in the book than we can hope to discuss. Obviously, that’s why people write books. We hope you join us and explore sustainability myths and solutions yourself.