The Quarter-Acre Farm

Book excerpt: When Spring Warren told her husband and two teenage boys that she wanted to grow 75 percent of all the food they consumed for one year--and that she wanted to do it in their yard--they told her she was crazy. She did it anyway. The Quarter-Acre Farm is Warren's account of deciding--despite all resistance--to take control of her family's food choices, get her hands dirty, and create a garden in her suburban yard. It's a story of bugs, worms, rot, and failure; of learning, replanting, harvesting, and eating. The road is long and riddled with mistakes, but by the end of her yearlong experiment, Warren's sons and husband have become her biggest fans--in fact, they're even eager to help harvest (and eat) the beautiful bounty she brings in. Full of tips and recipes to help anyone interested in growing and preparing at least a small part of their diet at home, The Quarter-Acre Farm is a warm, witty tale about family, food, and the incredible gratification that accompanies self-sufficiency.