One Magic Square is a call to action, with the know-how to get started right away. We all have the potential to grow our own food, even if we’re jammed in a terrace house in inner-city anywhere. One Magic Square provides the plot design, food knowledge and seasonal organisation.

The one-square-metre idea is not new, and One Magic Square picks up on much of the environmental urgency the conscientious are already aware of in ‘Part Two: Toward food self-sufficiency’. But this artfully packaged reference guide to the practice of individual self-sufficiency will make it easy for anyone to get a shovel on, no matter the colour of their thumb.

The principles behind One Magic Square are much like those being expounded by citizen journalists in the media industry: large corporations are not considering the long-term interests of the masses, so it is up to the individuals to reappropriate control of the food industry.

Thankfully, One Magic Square doesn’t mince words when acknowledging that individual action is not the whole answer – one square-metre plot will yield approximately ten per cent of your food needs. The idea is to use the first square to plot your expansion. At the very least, if you grow your own corn it won’t be fed to beef cattle or hybrid engines.

Definitely a book to get you started, and one to keep on your shelf and splash with dirt before turning to your tomato-stained cookbooks.

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Published by Wakefield Press
Paperback, 352 PP 200 x 200
9781862547643
$45.00