Author Spotlight on Richard Bray




I'm thrilled Richard Bray agreed to be in the author spotlight this month. Richard’s father was a keen gardener and that is where his interest in all natural things began. As a youngster, he enjoyed nothing better than helping his father in the garden.

Nowadays, he finds himself at the opposite end of life. Having had a satisfying career, he now has time to potter around in his garden and take care of his small homestead. Much of the food on his dinner table is homegrown. He likes to experiment with various gardening methods and find new ways to grow bountiful crops year-round.
He wants to share his knowledge showing how easy and rewarding it is to set up your own prosperous garden. In his opinion, you do not need a huge budget to get started. When you do get started, you will soon feel, and taste, the benefits of growing your own food.
Now onto the interview.
Richard, you've previously written on Greenhouse Gardening and Hydroponics. Can you speak to the importance of adequately ventilating a greenhouse?


Quite simply, if you don't ventilate a greenhouse your plants will suffer. Plants need fresh air daily to thrive. An unventilated greenhouse will become stifling hot in the sun and cause plants to wilt and die. Even in the winter, this can happen.





Can you provide a generalization of your favored method?


It really depends on what I'm growing. I have always loved growing in a greenhouse but not all vegetables thrive in this environment year-round so it becomes limiting. But, I do love getting my hands in the soil and growing what I can. Hydroponics is a newer obsession for me and I love having the ability to grow so much more in a shorter time and all year-round.



Can you explain the importance of nutrient-rich solution and how often you should change the solution?



In hydroponics, the plants won't grow without the nutrient-enhanced water. The nutrient solutions are what make hydroponics work. It really depends on what you are growing, but a general rule of thumb is that the solution should be completely changed every 7 days.



Is there an effective rule of thumb to follow for multiple successful plantings during the year?



Space them out by 2-3 weeks so they are ready to harvest one right after the other. Also, pay attention to the weather conditions and plant the 2nd and 3rd and 4th ones in different spots in the garden if necessary – a place with less sun or more sun or whatever the plants need. Plantings of the same variety of vegetable will have different needs depending on when you plant them so be aware of that.



Can you explain to readers more about Damping Off?



This is a fungi disease that affects plants, especially in very wet or cold conditions. It is in the soil and causes the roots to die off. It usually attacks young seedlings or seeds that have just germinated and it will kill the plant. The best prevention is to use organic potting soil to start plants since it will be absent of soil-borne pathogens. There are also over the counter treatments one can purchase.



Can you explain a little about the concept of wicking?



This is a hydroponic method. It is the simplest, easiest, and least-expensive method to set up and use although it does not produce the best results compared to other hydroponic systems. Basically, an absorbent wicking string or cloth is used to transfer a nutrient-rich solution from a water reservoir to the plant which is set-up in a growing medium. This eliminates the need for watering daily. It's a good starter method because it doesn't require any special equipment or power mechanisms.





What do you feel is the biggest advantage and disadvantage of hydroponics?


The biggest advantage is high yields in a shorter amount of time. The biggest disadvantage is the learning curve of figuring out a new system and potential high start-up costs.





Is there anything else you'd like to tell readers in regards to a hydroponic system or a soil based system?


Both have value, it all depends on what you intend to grow. So many people want to declare one or the other as better and there is just no need for that. It doesn't have to be a competition. All methods have value. The important thing is that you are growing your own food in a way that works for you, your situation, and your goals.


Richard latest book is an insightful look at Mushroom Cultivation: 12 Ways to Become the MacGyver of Mushrooms (Urban Homesteading Book 4)




Over 20,000 varieties of mushrooms are known in the world today, with more being discovered all the time, and with each kind having its own taste and structure. 

Finding a wide variety of mushrooms in the supermarket can be a challenge though. Most grocery stores only stock common species such as button mushrooms. Cultivating mushrooms at home can be a great way to source the mushrooms you want and save additional money. 

A lot of people don’t realize how easy it is to cultivate mushrooms at home. Loving shady spots, under a deck or porch, they grow in places other plants wouldn’t naturally thrive, thus making them the perfect addition to any gardener’s growing plan. Whatever your reason to start growing mushrooms at home, this book is the perfect companion on your journey. 

 
Mushroom Cultivation: 12 Ways to become the MayGyver of Mushrooms
 is the one-stop guide for every mushroom enthusiast. After reading this book, you will be able to identify the type of mushroom you want to grow, choose a suitable growing method and keep your harvest fruitful. Ideally suited for beginners, the book provides a comprehensive overview of how to start your mushroom adventure. 

In detail, this book allows you to… 

Select the mushrooms you can easily grow at home and to taste the pleasure of your homegrown food 

  • Understand the characteristics of each type of mushroom

  • Learn everything about mushroom structure and their life cycle

  • Decide which type of mushroom you want to grow


Get a comprehensive overview of the cultivation process and gain the confidence to embark upon your own project 

  • Learn everything about the different stages of mushroom cultivation

  • Understand the growing process in detail – from preparation to harvesting

  • Learn about 12 different growing methods for indoor and outdoor cultivation



Identify potential problems and learn how to overcome them 

  • Identify pests and diseases

  • Understand common problems such as incorrect moisture levels, contamination, and bad spawn

  • Learn everything about correct processing – from drying to freezing


Take the first step to your mushroom adventure. To get started, scroll up and grab your copy. 




My Thoughts

As someone whose family enjoys mushroom hunting, I find this to be a very comprehensive overview of mushroom cultivation, starting with preparation and taking one all the way to harvest time. 

I love that it includes beautiful images and provides details on things that interest me such as the ideal growing environment,  structure, differences in taste and potential issues that occur with indoor as well as outdoor cultivation.

This book was provided by the generosity of the author for an honest review.