Alessandro Vitale - Rebel Gardening: A beginner’s handbook to organic urban gardening

Rebel Gardening

Alessandro Vitale

First published in the UK and USA in 2023 by Watkins, an imprint of Watkins Media Limited Unit 11, Shepperton House, 8393 Shepperton Road London N1 3DF

Design and typography copyright Watkins Media Limited 2023

Text copyright Alessandro Vitale 2023

Photography copyright Alessandro Vitale 2023

For copyright of other photographs see page 272 which is to be regarded as an extension of this copyright

The right of Alessandro Vitale to be identified as the Author of this text has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

Commissioning Editor: Ella Chappell

Assistant Editor: Brittany Willis

Copyeditor: Abi Waters

Proofreader: Jan Adkins

Head of Design: Karen Smith

Design and illustrations: Alice Claire Coleman

Photography: Alessandro Vitale

Mushroom Photography: Elliot Webb

Production: Uzma Taj

A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN: 978-1-78678-691-3 (Hardback)

ISBN: 978-1-78678-692-0 (eBook)

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

www.watkinspublishing.com

For detailed videos demonstrating the techniques

I share in this book, please follow my:

Instagram @_spicymoustache_

TikTok @spicymoustache[URL inactive]

YouTube SpicyMoustache

Publishers note

While every care has been taken in compiling the activities and recipes for this book, Watkins Media Limited, or any other persons who have been involved in working on this publication, cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions, inadvertent or not, that may be found in the text, nor for any problems that may arise as a result of working with the specific plants. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have any special dietary requirements or medical conditions, it is advisable to consult a medical professional before consuming any of the plants contained in this book. Some activities in this book, for example those involving different chemicals or cutting tools, may be dangerous if instructions are not followed precisely. Always follow manufacturers instructions when using tools. When growing new plants, it is likely that you will be trying food that you have never eaten before. Therefore, and especially if you are prone to allergies, try just a little first, as you would with any food. The material contained in this book is set out in good faith for general guidance and no liability can be accepted for loss or expense incurred in relying on the information given. In particular this book is not intended to replace expert medical advice. This book is for informational purposes only and is for your own personal use and guidance. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or act as a substitute for professional medical advice. Watkins Media Limited, or any other persons involved in working on this publication, cannot accept responsibility for any injury, illness or damages that result from participating in the activities in this book.

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Part One
Defining Your Small Space

Part Two
What To Plant And How

Part Three
Maintaining Your Garden

Part Four
Top Plants For Beginners

Did you know that its possible to grow food, no matter where you live or what space is available to you? Im not saying this just because its much healthier for your body and mind, but also because it will reduce your wastage and carbon footprint. In a world that is entirely detached from the origin of food and its production, I can teach you how to grow your own natural food and be in control of what you eat and how to produce it!

Im Alessandro and Im 30 years old. I come from northern Italy and I moved to London, UK, around seven years ago. I have loved tattoos since I was 12 years old and I work as a freelance videographer making videos on commission and also teaching people how to garden and be sustainable, reducing the amount of waste produced by your household. I personally think that if we are gardeners or in some way linked to nature, we should try to be sustainable in every aspect of our life to be true to our beliefs and preserve the environment.

My passion, though, is gardening. Ive been gardening since I was a kid, and I love to see peoples reaction when I tell them about my story and what I do.

My wish is to always stay like this, living quietly in a corner of nature!

I spent most of my life living in Italy directly in contact with a variety of fresh food. I grew up understanding not only the difference between processed food and natural food but also learning how to grow it and where it comes from.

I was inspired to start gardening thanks to my grandpa, who taught me everything he knew about our living soil and the different ways of gardening without using chemicals but instead cooperating with nature. Moving to London with my partner gave me an extra push to create an area where soil and living creatures could co-exist; a place where we could get a real sense of nature to disconnect from our daily routine.

My family is one of my main inspirations to accomplish and overcome many life challenges, thanks to my parents who offered me the chance to travel a lot during my youth and my sister who inspired me to create and preserve a better future for the younger generations. I live with my fiance Iasmina, who is my main support and encouragement in everything I do, and I couldnt be where I am now without her and her incredible hard work.

I started growing my own food as I always felt a deep love and passion for nature, a sentiment that feels lacking in this modern society. I dont want to support the mass production of food by big companies who use chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which alter the natural biodiversity and damage the environment.

In London, I grow in a space of just 8 x 5m (26 x 16ft). However, I managed to maximize the production of food by using vertical gardening (see ) and any possible space available in my urban garden. This has supplied myself and my partner with enough food to avoid buying any fruit or vegetables from the stores for a whole season. I recently even turned my front yard, which was just a concrete area, into a vegetable garden. I am hoping that this book will inspire more people to have less lawn and grow more food.

I grow many types of vegetables and fruits, all in raised beds or pots. I primarily use heirloom varieties and save my own seeds. Saving seeds, or seed sovereignty (see ), is critical as each seed saved creates a link to the past, present and even the future.

I use many different practices to maintain a healthy soil and build a good web of microorganisms and bacteria for my plants with a regenerative approach for the land. I apply no dig gardening (see ), which follow the belief that the ecosystems in a garden are self-sufficient and grow in a sustainable way.