Butterthief Gardens · Olympia, Washington
An Experiment in Regenerative Living
Books, guides, downloads, and links curated for the regenerative life
A curated collection of what we read, use, reference, and return to — organized by topic and updated as we learn.
Printable guides, reference sheets, and planning tools we've made or gathered along the way. Download, print, and put them on the fridge.
Companion Planting Reference Chart
Who grows well together and who doesn't — a quick-reference chart for the vegetable garden, with tomatoes, brassicas, herbs, and more.
Download PDF →Pacific Northwest Planting Calendar
What to plant, start indoors, and harvest each month in our climate. Built for the coastal Southeast — warm winters, long growing seasons.
Download PDF →Beginner's Herbal Medicine Cabinet
The foundational herbs to grow and why — calendula, comfrey, lemon balm, yarrow, tulsi, and more. Uses, preparations, and growing notes.
Download PDF →Fermentation Basics: Salt Ratios & Timing
A simple reference card for vegetable ferments — salt percentages by weight, timing by temperature, and troubleshooting common problems.
Download PDF →Tutorials, references, and visual guides for growing food and building healthy soil — from first garden to established beds.
Companion Planting Map
A full-color illustrated garden layout showing which plants support each other — and which ones compete.
View Guide
Building Your First Raised Bed
Materials, dimensions, soil mix ratios, and the mistakes we made so you don't have to.
Read GuideUnderstanding Soil Health
What the numbers on a soil test actually mean, and how to amend naturally without synthetic fertilizers.
Read GuideComposting from Scratch
Cold pile vs. hot pile, browns and greens, moisture levels, and the timeline from kitchen scraps to finished compost.
Read Guide
Pollinator Garden Planting Chart
Native plants, bloom times, and the insects they attract — designed for the Southeast coastal garden.
View GuideSeed Saving Basics
Which seeds are worth saving, how to dry and store them, and why heirloom varieties matter for the regenerative garden.
Read GuideHow to make the most of what you grow — fermentation, canning, drying, infusing, and building a regenerative pantry season by season.
Lacto-Fermentation for Beginners
Salt, water, vegetables, and time. The ancient practice made simple — kraut, kimchi, pickles, and beyond.
Read Guide
Drying Herbs the Right Way
Harvest timing, drying methods, storage containers, and how to tell if your dried herbs still have potency.
Read GuideHerbal Infusions & Tinctures
Oil infusions, vinegar extracts, and alcohol tinctures — ratios, timing, and which herbs suit each method.
Read GuideWater Bath Canning Basics
Safe canning for high-acid foods — jams, pickles, tomatoes. Equipment, process, and testing for seal.
Read GuideThe books that have shaped how we think about regenerative living — not a definitive list, just the ones we keep returning to.
Braiding Sweetgrass
Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants woven into one of the most quietly transformative books we know. Required reading for anyone thinking seriously about a reciprocal relationship with the land.
The One-Straw Revolution
A Japanese farmer's manifesto for doing less and growing more — natural farming, no-till philosophy, and a radical rethinking of what agriculture can be.
Gaia's Garden
The definitive introduction to home-scale permaculture — practical, warm, and full of designs any backyard gardener can actually implement.
The Art of Fermentation
The most thorough and enthusiastic guide to fermentation ever written. Everything from sauerkraut to miso to kvass — equal parts reference and manifesto.
Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs
A beginner's guide from one of the most respected herbalists in North America — gentle, practical, and deeply encouraging for anyone just starting with plant medicine.
Organizations, tools, databases, and websites we reference regularly. Curated, not comprehensive — these are the ones we actually use.
Native plant identification and range maps for the US
What kind of soil is actually under your property
Pacific Northwest growing guides and soil test services
Frost dates and planting times by zip code
Professional directory and herbal education resources
Reliable herbal education from a trusted supplier
Old-school herbal reference database, thoroughly researched
At-risk native medicinal plants — what to know before harvesting
The authoritative source on safe canning and preservation
Fermentation starters, guides, and troubleshooting
Community, recipes, and the full fermentation philosophy
Research-based regenerative agriculture — practical and rigorous
Global permaculture projects, courses, and design resources
Local expertise for growing in the South Puget Sound region