Includes bibliographical references and index.

Stop being prepared -- The futurist: "I don't care about you." -- The futurist: getting what you want (instead of fear you'll go wanting) -- Charm is wasted on earth and sky: the cabinet of curiosities -- Liquid of life: collecting water from rain and snow -- The renaissance of barter, trade, and dickering -- No-nonsense household tips for saving money -- Buying old and reliable -- Gardening then, gardening now: the heritage differences -- Raised-bed gardening: centuries of few weeds and lots of food -- Full-year garden calendar -- Perennial color parade; creating a summerlong succession of blooms -- Wild edible vegetables -- The easiest garden you'll ever grow: self-seeding vegetables -- The magic four -- Garden trials: from beginners to g.r.i.n -- Five mysteries of the garden -- Want to live green? kill a rooster -- Dear Caleb: real questions from readers -- Lessons learned -- Backyard renaissance university.