Growing Food in a Hotter, Drier Land: Lessons from Desert Farmers on Adapting to Climate Uncertainty Kindle Edition

It's obvious to those of us who spend time lots of time in the outdoor world, that our planet is seeing some radical changes from climate change (you can deny or censor climate change all you want -- it won't change reality). Anyone who has tried to garden and grow food knows it's already a constant battle, and that it's going to be tougher, not easier where weather is even more unpredictable, where extreme weather events are the norm, and where there is not enough--or too much--water. This book is the first I've seen which attempts to think through how to select the plants and crops for an environmentally uncertain era, and tries to learn from human history (not a stranger to figuring out how to adapt to changing weather) on how to adapt to human caused climate change--which is happening, whether or not we are willing to acknowledge it. As someone who has been in a more temperate climate (California), but has seen major, major drought conditions over the last few years, the lessons and techniques Nabhan covers from a more arid climate might give you some ideas and inspiration on what to try even in the face of unrelenting drought, water restrictions, and an uncertain weather environment, and also helps you to maybe understand and perhaps adapt in our uncertain future. Highly recommended for those looking to take action and figure out maybe one way to help our species (along with all the others we depend on in this world) to find a new way forward in an era of uncertainty.

Nabhan first squares away on climate change. If you are inclined to disbelieve, or ignore, you need to find another book. This book is about growing food in a hotter dryer land, and Nabhan takes the world view to make his point.He then illustrates several coping strategies,placing emphasis on adaptability; he places emphasis on observation of environment, and adaption to observation.The "High Desert" that Nabhan uses most often to illustrate his coping strategies are those in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico; a different "High Desert" than the one I live in, but all the climactic issues he deals with are the same: water, soil, hot dry days and cool nights.A lot of the his techniques are based on basic permaculture principles that can be found in other books in greater detail, but this book utilizes a historical/anthropological context to illustrate that this way of doing things actually provided someone with food.

I should have paid more attention to prior reviews. I couldn’t get past the AGW pablum - too thick, way too thick. I too am living in a desert - I don’t need to be told that it’s my fault that the desert is hot and dry and that somehow a carbon tax is going to solve all of my problems (my implication of the bottom line of the AGW speel and not a suggestion by the author; but, it seems that in all public discourse taxes follow AGW). There might be some great info on farming in hot and dry climates but I’ll likely pass on reading and never get to the point where that kicks in - probably my loss. Or, the bigger picture: it’s a loss for the global community. I guess I’ll just keep on planting trees....

A good read and good information. I thought the author had a lot more to share with us but two thirds of the book was about why I should learn about growing food in a hotter and drier land. I already believed in the need for more dry land farming. I didn't need to be convinced; I expected more information.

Whatever anyone thinks the cause is, the world is getting hotter, and some of it much dryer. This book is a great companion in this quest to farm for us those of us living in these areas where conventional wisdom no longer works because things ARE changing. The Author draws upon the wisdom of native peoples and forward looking sustainable farmers throughout the world in a fascinating read that encorporates anthropology and ethnobotany with a lot of very good ideas on how to keep food production going in these changing dry climates. Highly recommended.

I live in the Mojave Desert, and this book has me seeing the landscape differently than I had before. Living in hot, dry climates is not easy living; but with with what the author shares here, it is very possible. No, I do not plan on subsistence living in the desert, but I do strangely feel a little more at ease with the region I live in.

This text is very well researched and the author certainly knows his subject matter. As someone trying to improve a semi-arid property in south Texas, this text gives practical growing and farming advice gathered from around the world. I like it so much, I bought a second copy for my cousin who is farther along in developing her property. She employs some of the techniques discussed and illustrated in the text but it has many more wonderful ideas. Buy this book!

Many good stories about successful growing in dry areas

Useful and informative

Very good

I thought this might be dry, difficult and scholarly but, in fact it was an easy read. With so little available on this important topic it's good to see something hands on and practical. The parallels drawn by the author are both fascinating and instructive; he examines archaeological and contemporary evidence to come up with solutions that anyone can use... anywhere.As we all face a hotter, drier climate it's valuable to consider the practices of traditional desert farmers who are already feeling the effects of climate change and are attempting to adapt to it. The section on the cumulative effects of insufficient chill factor is worth the cost of the book on its own, it's not something most of us consider in any depth.The section on establishing terraced was interesting and practical though perhaps overlong if, like me you have no use for terracing in a flat landscape.This is a book for thoughtful gardeners, horticulturalists and farmers everywhere, extremely practical with useful lists of plants and resources.Well worth the money !

good book