I have enjoyed teaching a series of classes at some of the Buchheit stores recently on container gardening. It always turned into a Q and A on general gardening tips and I was delighted with the great advice I received from several of the avid gardeners who came.
At each store, I noted the improvement in the variety of homesteading books available now at Buchheit. When I asked how they were selling, the staff repeatedly told me that people today did most of their reading online and they didn’t know why the company was even carrying books anymore.
This brings me to my topic today, why books? I liked what one of the many great gardeners I met at Herculaneum had to say about books vs internet articles. He said when he reads something online, he scans it, while when he sits down to read a book or magazine, he is able to concentrate and read more thoroughly absorbing the knowledge that book offers.
When you write and publish a reference book, such as “Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening” there is an entire staff of support workers who vet the materials, fact check and edit every page.
I love the new selection of gardening books I found on the endcaps of the seed displays this year at Buchheit! I picked up the one on container gardening and gleaned some new and helpful information from its pages.
Please understand I am not against the articles found on the internet but sometimes I find incorrect information or facts that are taken out of context. That is much less likely to happen when you are writing a book. Most authors, no matter how many copies of their books are downloaded or placed on a tablet still want to have hardcopies of their work. It’s the wonder of holding a book in your hands and allowing your mind to open up to the knowledge and adventure to be found in its pages. Studies are proven we retain and comprehend more when we read an actual book.
Many traditions and techniques may be lost as old books go out of print. Some of the best homesteading wisdom can be found in the books with yellowing pages.
Just for a moment imagine that the internet shuts down. I love going to the internet to find a quick recipe or to fact-check as I write these blogs but most of the knowledge I have learned has come from my vetted reference books (and the school of hard knocks). Most reference books are not available online so I strongly encourage you to start your own library of homesteading books. A great place to start is with the magazines/booklets carried by Buchheit. Also check out auctions and library sales. I am saving up for some pricey books about poultry diseases that will help me answer more of your poultry questions. Reading has always been such a pleasure to me, it is my hope that you will pick up a book soon.
Be blessed! Relax with a good one soon! Anne May
