Sunday, November 16, 2008

Giveaway: Fresh Food from Small Spaces

Fresh Food from Small SpacesTis the season for giving thanks and for, well, giving. So, from now until Christmas, I'll be reviewing and giving away 8 books and a bunch of stuff for the Freeze Yer Buns Challenge. This means that I'll be holding giveaways at least once and sometimes twice a week.

Today's giveaway is for the fantastic book, Fresh Food from Small Spaces: The Square-Inch Gardener's Guide to Year-Round Growing, Fermenting, and Sprouting.

If you don't live on a farm, have any acreage or, heck, even a backyard, this book will show you how to maximize growing your own food even if you only have a spare closet and a windowsill to work with. Of course, if you have a backyard there's a lot more you can do, but even if you have a shared space (condo or apartment), it's possible to squeeze in chickens and beekeeping if you pull a few strings.

In addition to teaching you the basics of gardening and composting, this book tells you which fruit trees work well in containers, how to sprout grains, beans, wheatgrass and sprouts in your kitchen, and how to cultivate mushrooms. There's also a chapter on making your own yogurt (the author even mentions my Euro Cuisine yogurt maker) and other fermented foods.

Finally, this book wraps it up with a section on how to survive during resource shortages that takes a well balanced look at a possible future living with less without going overboard. He even offers some tips on how to help build a sustainable future.

So, if you are short on space but long on dreams of self-sufficiency, this book is an excellent starting point to get you going. The only draw-back is that it will get you so excited to start some of these projects, you'll wish it weren't November.

If you want to be entered in this book giveaway, add your name to the comments of this post. This giveaway is open until Wednesday, November 19th, 6:00 pm PST. I'll be doing a random drawing and announcing a winner on Thursday, November 20th.

Related books:
All New Square Foot Gardening
Four-Season Harvest: Organic Vegetables from Your Home Garden All Year Long
Gardening When It Counts: Growing Food in Hard Times

216 comments:

  1. I would love to enter the giveaway. I need some inspiration for our little .25 acre city lot.

    Am I the only one up freezing my buns at 3 am? Well, actually, just my mouse hand. The rest of me is buried under a quilt. :op

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  2. Sounds like a very handy book. Do you post overseas?

    I read your blog often,

    Abundantly

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  3. I'd love to enter. We have a small yard so any inspiration to find ways to grow our own goods will be helpful.

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  4. I would like to enter the giveaway. I have his first book and a square foot garden to prove it.

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  5. I'd love to enter the giveaway. I've heard really wonderful things about this book.

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  6. That book sounds great. Count me in. I love your blog.

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  7. Book sounds very good.

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  8. I would love to enter, then I could figure out a way to have enough garden and the kids could have some backyard to play in.

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  9. This sounds perfect for people like me who want a farm but only have a couple of pots on a patio!

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  10. I'm in! Thanks!

    Melissa

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  11. I'd also love to enter. We have a yard but also multitudes of trees and critters that eat everything.

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  12. There is too much in this book for me to pass on a chance, even though I do have land to grow things on.

    These days, every bit of helpful information is like gold!!

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  13. Please count me in!

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  14. That book would be awesome! I attempted to grow basil and tomatoes last year but didn't do so well.

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  15. count me in! Sounds like something I could use!

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  16. Please enter me! Thanks so much. Great blog!

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  17. Please count me in.

    The book sounds great! I just made a square foot gardening bed in my backyard and we bought containers for growing some stuff, too. So I'd definitely love to gain the knowledge in this book.

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  18. wow, this one sounds great! count me in and crossing my fingers!

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  19. Okay, sign me up. I have .1 acres, including the square footage of my house and a backyard largely shaded by a giant box elder tree. I am filling in all possible growing spaces, but could use some additional techniques and inspiration.

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  20. Please add my name. I started my first garden this year and need all the help I can get.

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  21. This sounds like a book i could use!

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  22. Add me in. Hope this isn't a duplicate post... I lost one, I think. Jessica

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  23. I'd love to read this book. I need all the gardening help I can get.

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  24. this looks quite interesting, could use some inspiration now that the balcony garden has been put away for winter. :-(

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  25. I would like to enter the giveaway. It sounds like an interesting book to have.

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  26. i'd love to be fermenting and sprouting...on purpose!
    ;)
    please put me on the giveaway list.
    thanks!

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  27. Sounds like a great book, and one that I could really use.

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  28. I am all about the small city yards, and I have this book on my wishlist, so I'd love to win it.

    Bun-freezin-wise, we've had only a few days that required the space heater, but we've had to stop DD12 from using it on days that are only chilly.

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  29. I've been eyeing similar books like this as I begin to plan for next years tackling of gardening, so I'd love to enter your giveaway.

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  30. Sounds like a great read, I'm always looking to do more. And I find that winter is a great time for planning. Please enter me!

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  31. Looks interesting, count me in!

    Lee in KY

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  32. I'm in! I have a small city plot and have done all I can with the back and am planning to turn the front into a victory garden next summer. Our soil isn't great quality though so I've been wondering if growing fruit trees in containers is an option. Sounds like this book would be v. informative!

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  33. I'll enter! We plan to turn the tiny front and back yards of our housing co-op into maximum productive space, and I'm in charge! I'm unsure of how to get started, so this will really help.

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  34. Sign me up, please!

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  35. Sounds like the book for me, we're renting a place with a tiled yard, and the one area that's not tiled doesn't get any sun, so no vegetation possible.

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  36. My kind of book, please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks for your inspiring blog.

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  37. Add me to the list! I have a lot to learn.

    Stacy Owings

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  38. Awesome book. We are doing a lot on our .10 of an acre in the city.

    Please enter me.

    We're freezing our bunz down to 55 at night here!

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  39. I would love this book! We're downsizing from the suburbs to a much smaller house and lot in the city. We're looking forward to getting creative with our gardening and this book might just be our ticket!

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  40. I would love this book. If I don't win, I will put it on my christmas list.

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  41. We have no dirt whatsoever in our yard, but we can squeeze in a few containers. I'd love to see the book and find out what the author suggests. --LJ

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  42. Sounds interesting to me, as well. Count me in the running.

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  43. Sounds like a great book. We live in a mobile home and already grow a great deal of our food in raised beds.

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  44. I would love to win that book! I just moved into an apartment and feel somewhat stifled for what I can grow on my own.

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  45. Add me. Not freezing yet here, though. It's the desert.

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  46. This book looks awesome. Put my name in the drawing.

    --Ave

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  47. This book sounds amazing! Count me in.

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  48. Please enter me in the drawing!

    Colleen

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  49. Sounds Great. I have a tiny parcel...

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  50. I live in an apartment with a small patio, and have been trying to figure out what to grow and how to grow it for awhile now - I'd love to get in on this drawing!

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  51. Sign me up! It sounds really interesting. Thanks!

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  52. This looks great - I can always use new ideas for living "smaller."

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  53. I would love to be entered in this giveaway. Thanks!

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  54. Please add me to the draw.

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  55. I definitely could use some inspiration! Thank you!

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  56. I managed to kill all my houseplants this year, so I'm not feeling terribly confident. I have a tiny little deck in the back of my apartment, and I really need some help before diving into any gardening attempts.

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  57. We have nothing that even resembles a yard, so this would be a big help!

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  58. Count me in! (Enjoy the blog!)

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  59. I'd love to enter the contest :)

    Thanks

    asrais

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  60. Put me in. My garden is in my driveway and 1/2 of the strip between driveways. Could use some pointers.

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  61. That sounds like a great book and perfect for my tiny yard.

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  62. urban apartment dweller here, so i'd like to be put in the draw. i tried to grow some things this summer, with very little success. this would be an interesting book to check out.

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  63. I love the concept of square foot gardening and would love to try it, with the help of this book, next summer. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  64. ya! Please include me!

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  65. Please enter me in the drawing.
    Thank you,
    Jo

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  66. we live in the city, with a very small lot and I would love to learn how to maximize my space for gardening and learn more about composting!

    micaela6955 at msn dot com

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  67. I would love to enter! Currently we have a little plot in the community garden, but are hoping that when we move we'll have a little yard of our own to use.

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  68. This is right up my alley. I just finished a rewrite of my book "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegetable Gardening" that will be released this winter. I garden mostly in pots because my yard is so small (.17 acres - mostly shade). This year I grew 6 huge kale plants (they were a give-away at a local garden center) in pots with geraniums...I'm still harvesting and it's really cold outside! I think your blog is terrific...

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  69. count me in, i did horrible this year on my patio. i have sweet basil growing and thats all, everything else failed miserably.

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  70. I'm adding this book to my list to checkout from the library. Maybe this giveaway will save me the trip and get me started faster.

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  71. Count me in. Tiny city back yard....

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  72. I'm just working on a garden here in Florida. This book sounds great.

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  73. Please enter me in the give away. I love the contents of this book :-)

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  74. This book sounds awesome. Add me please (and I definitely still check it out if I don't win).

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  75. Yay for this book! We canned so much this year we ran out of mason jars!

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  76. I would love to enter the giveaway. With only only a small back yard I can use all the ideas I can get. Does it give great tips on keeping the rabbits from eating everything?

    Thanks for all your inspiration
    Aimee

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  77. Sounds like a great book

    shalom
    Yael

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  78. Yes, please! Need to see if my library has this one. I want it.

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  79. This looks like a great giveaway! You always have great giveaways and suggested readings!

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  80. This book would give me a kick in the butt to get a garden started already! =P

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  81. This book sounds great. Please add me to the list of me,me,mes.

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  82. I live in a 16th floor apartment. I'd love this book.

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  83. Yes, please! I could use the inspiration and ideas for our tiny gardens.

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  84. Please count me in! This book would come in really handy!!!

    Cindi

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  85. WooHoo! That sounds like a rockin book. Add my name into the mix.

    Kim C

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  86. I just started my square foot garden last week! (Such is the easy gardening life in SoCal.) I would love to read about the next step.

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  87. Ooh, ooh! Me, too, please!

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  88. I'm always looking for new ways to maximize our space.

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  89. I would love an entry too, we have garden space now but a move next year may put us somewhere that we can't garden.

    -A

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  90. I appreciate your help with the research for creating an appropriate library Crunchy. Our yard is small so I think this book is one that really tickles my fancy!
    Count me in!

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  91. Thanks for entering me as well. I've been inspired by your blog to continue to push the limits of how we can be better stewards of this planet we all belong to! (always 56 at night and 62 during the day!)

    -Corie

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  92. I am in too! One of the masses I suppose:)

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  93. Pick me, pick me!! I'm in the process of redoing my itty bitty yard and could use more inspiration.

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  94. Drop my name in the hat!

    Looks like a great book. I will have to put it on my Christmas list if I don't win.

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  95. I'd love to be entered into this. My landlord has given me carte blanche to do any sort of gardening I want in the yard, so this would be a great help to get me started!

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  96. I do love the bountiful container book, but I'm always looking for new books about growing plants in small spaces. Count me in the giveaway!

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  97. Sounds like a great book, count me in too!

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  98. This book is right up my alley. We rent and I would love some advice on how to actually grow food in the little bit of space we have.

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  99. Oh yes! Please please enter me in your giveaway - I currently garden on an apartment balcony [not so much right now in Nov, obviously!] and I need all the help that I can get! :)

    Thank you for your awesome blog and for offering this giveaway!

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  100. This sounds right up my alley!

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  101. I'd love to check this book out!

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  102. Holy cow, 122 entries already?

    I love garden books. And I have a small yard.

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  103. I'm a little shocked that I haven't come across this book before. Aaaaand, I just checked my library's online catalog, and they don't carry this book. I guess that means an entry from me!

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  104. Would love to be entered for the book giveaway.

    Wendy

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  105. Okay, so I had an internet-free day yesterday, and am now number 130 on the list, but I would love to enter the drawing. I live in an apartment in the middle of Paris (don't worry, if I win, you can ship the book to my Dad in the States), and I'm desperately casting about for ways to increase our food-producing capacity.

    Looks like it will be quite a drawing!

    Thanks, Corinne

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  106. As a renter, who hasn't had much luck with plants, I'd love some inspiration. I love the "square-inch" in the title. I bought Square Foot Gardening years ago, but... life took me in another direction.

    Bekki (officially entering the giveaway)

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  107. The book sounds good. Count me in!

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  108. Exactly the type of thing I have been looking for. We will see what kind of garden I can establish this year

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  109. This looks like an interesting book, but I wouldn't ask you send it to the UK!

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  110. I'd love to enter. Sounds like a very interesting book. Thanks

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  111. Please enter me on the giveaway list. Thanks!

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  112. growing tomatoes etc on our garage roof!

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  113. thanks for the book recommendation. i've been trying to figure out how to extend my growing/working space.

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  114. enter me please! I'm currently redoing the back yard, added raised beds and looking for more ways to increase our growing space!

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  115. Please enter me in the drawing! Thanks Crunchy!

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  116. Sounds exciting! I'd love to enter.

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  117. Please enter me and my tiny apartment with NO outdoor area!

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  118. I'm in! Already trying to figure out what might grow in/around our new home!

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  119. Perfect inspiration for my little urban yard!

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  120. I have some space, but want to start small so as not to overwhelm myself (particularly with weeding). So count me in, and thank you!

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  121. Sounds like a great book, would love to check it out! Thanks.

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  122. I usually don't enter giveaways since I don't feel like I need the things that are offered and would rather that someone else got a chance. This book actually sounds like one I would love (speaking as someone who is currently storing winter squash in her coat closet). Fingers crossed.

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  123. I would like to enter the giveaway. We will be embarking on our second garden this year, and I could withstand all of the help I can get.

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  124. Please enter my name in the giveaway, small spaces are definitely me. Thanks! Laurie

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  125. My name is Becky. There, I've added it to the list. :)

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  126. Ooooh! This is just what I need! Thanks crunchy!

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  127. This looks like a great book. If I don't win it I'll add it to my wish list. Thanks!

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  128. Please add me (Laura/sophielovespeanutbutter) to the long list! :)
    Thanks!

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  129. I'm new to your site; a good friend recommended it to me. What a nice welcome. I could really use a book like this. Even if I don't win it, I might buy it. Please add me to the drawing list. Thanks

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  130. yes, please add me to the draw :)

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  131. I was just looking at this book. Thanks for offering it as a drawing.
    Best wishes on your stats! I just recently changed my web address to my domain, so I definitely know what you are going through.

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  132. Sounds like a great book. Please add me to the drawing!

    And yes, we're freezing our buns out here too. :-) Keeping the house somewhere around 60ish at the moment. Might make that warmer by a bit after my baby is born in early Februaryish though....

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  133. Oh man, I totally need that book! The most we did this year was growing a pepper plant in our apartment - and then the cat killed it.

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  134. Count me in please and thank you!

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  135. Count me in! I'd like to be an apartment garden-grower- just don't know where to get started. Thanks!!

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  136. I live in an apartment and am experimenting with container gardening... this book would be great! Thanks!

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  137. I'm in - we have bees, would love to learn better gardening stuff!

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  138. I'd love to win this! We have land around us, but the critters (of some sort, not sure what) destroyed my plants less summer & w/ a baby due in April, I don't think I'll be up to figuring out the critter dilemma this summer either, containers on the patio seem like a better option for this year!

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  139. I miss my garden and am trying to learn how to garden in containers - great timing for such a book!

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  140. I would love to enter. That book would be perfect for us now that we live in a town house!

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  141. Doubt I'll win, but enter me anyway. Sounds like a useful book.
    Cindy in FL

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  142. I'd love to enter! My students and I could really benefit from learning how to use all of our limited available space.

    Keep on crunchin'

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  143. This would be a great gift for my father. With winter approaching (okay it's really already here. brrr) I'd love to be able to grow more things inside to get that fresh taste. I haven't sprouts in a long time and would love to have some again.

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  144. Whee! I'm in. One square inch sounds like enough of a challenge for my black thumb! Although you did inspire me to make yogurt. :)

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  145. Sounds like a great book. Count me in.

    Jennifer G.

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  146. This sounds like it would be a great addition to our gardening/sustainability library. Thanks for offering it up for give away!

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  147. Please enter me- would be a good companion book to Square foot gardening by mel bartholemew.

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  148. Count me in for this give away. Sounds like a great book.

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  149. That sounds like a wonderful book--perhaps it'll give me some tips for my little town house? Please enter me in the drawing.

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  150. I'm pretty sure this book would be right up my alley, as I am a brand-new gardener with a tiny lot. Luckily I'm in Florida so I have a much longer growing season, which will hopefully offset that problem.

    Becky F.

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  151. I have this book on reserve at the library, but expect to like it enough to buy a copy to have on hand. I would love to win it!

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  152. Count me in please! My places are getting smaller and smaller...

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  153. Sounds like a great book! Count me in!

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  154. Oh, me! Pick me! :D

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  155. I'd like to be entered. Thank you.

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  156. Enter me please. This book sounds great!

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  157. This book sounds very useful. I have a decent sized yard, but LOTS of trees, so very little sun. I would like to grow more than just herbs on my deck.

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  158. what an awesome concept! Enter me :)

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  159. I'm overwhelmed by the gardening books out there. What is the best -- most practical how-to -- gardening book you've read?

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  160. I live in a small space, so this book sounds perfect for me!

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  161. Sounds great. I have a very brown thumb, so starting with a small space would be a great strategy...

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  162. Pleeeeease! I have a large yard, but most of it is blocked by giant sun-blocking oak trees.

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  163. I just have a balcony but I would like to figure out what to do with it!

    We had a few tomatoes this year and that is it.

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  164. This book sounds fantastic! I dream of a yard. I once actually kept a plant alive when I planted it in the ground. I need a bit of help with this container gardening idea, though. Anything in a pot seems to die.

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  165. Sounds like the kind of gardening I can actually handle! Thanks for the chance.

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  166. Please enter me in your book contest.

    Lindy in AZ

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