Reviews (19)

We Should All Be 1/4th John Semour
The book is everything you could wish to know from beginning to end.The ONLY criticism I have with the book is that is seems to be for one specific climate in England.I'm not quite sure how to translate a lot of it over to a New England (USA)Winter setting. Regardless of that, it's a miracle to have such a book in this day and age.

Great Book
I have read this book twice now. I was amazed at the amount of topics and the detail of each. I would highly recommend this book to people who are looking to start out, or who are only able to read about it.

This was my favorite all time book!
What a wonderful guide on living! This book shows you how to survive and thrive with simple, back-to-basics skills and instructions on how to do almost anything you'd ever need to know to live. Beautiful illustrations and a easy to use index. Everybody should own a copy of this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture    2. Agriculture - General    3. Country life    4. Gardening    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Organic    8. Self-Help    9. Techniques    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Gardening / Organic   

Reviews (23)

Great Book. Quick Shipment. Greaat seller.
The book was delivered in a timely manner, well packaged. Would buy from this seller again.

The author enthusiastically shares his passion and experience with grape growing and winemaking
This book is clearly written and easy to read. In addition to the educational aspects, the author effortlessly recounts his own home winemaking experience and shares his passion for it. I found the tables and calculations extremely helpful. A lot of attention is paid to describing the technology and chemistry of the homemade wine. However, the author puts even more emphasis on choosing and correctly growing the right grape at the right place and calls it "your single most important decision". That's why the first chapters on the grape varieties and basic viticulture techniques are especially helpful for beginning grape growers. I truly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it!
WoW what a book !!!!
I have read a lot about this book so I had to have it. I recently bought a small vineyard in Slovakia and I have tons of local books about winemaking. I am a real newbie and after I read these books I had an idea how to make wine, but that was not enough. I always had tons of questions, which I did not know who to ask. Well Jeff Cox answers them. When he describes the wine making process he does that very precisselly that a newbie like me would underestand it. I am looking forward to use his tips this autumn. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    2. Fruit    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Organic    7. United States    8. Viticulture    9. Wine and wine making    10. Wine and winemaking    11. COOKING / Beverages / Wine & Spirits    12. Gardening / Fruit    13. Wines   

Reviews (16)

Just What I was looking for!
I've been working for several years to become more self-sufficient, at least in growing my own food, but I have a very small lot, and growing for long-term subsistence (for canning and freezing) would be difficult on such a small piece of land.Mr. Coleman's book is just what I needed, and the fact that he's also in Maine is definitely a PLUS!
GeosminMom
After joining a farmer's market, this book/author was mentioned several times in conversation with other growers. Since we had recently "retired" to upstate NY, I thought it might be a good thing to see how someone else turned a negative to a positive(such as our frozen north).The result- with the help of my 81 year old friend we are building a hoop house (or 2)instead of the green house I originally desired. Simple and useful-sums the book up best!

Grow vegetables year 'round!
Coleman is an experienced organic gardener and has written previous books on organic gardening.Whether you are looking for new organic gardening techniques or ways to improve a self-sustaining lifestyle, Coleman's book will be a valuable resource.He explains how to grow delicious, organically-grown vegetables from your home garden year 'round. Organically-grown vegetables can be harvested throughout the coldest months in all climate zones in the Lower 48 without much extra effort or time. He shows how to design inexpensive, simple cold frames and unheated mobile greenhouses.He explains how to use them along with a root cellar to grow a variety of organic vegetables each suited to their season.Success depends on growing a large variety of vegetables each suited to their season, and in cold frames, mobile greenhouses, and root cellars.Coleman's book will surely guide the grower to extend the growing season! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Organic    5. Organic Gardening    6. Vegetable Crops    7. Vegetable gardening    8. Vegetables    9. Fruit & vegetables   

Reviews (15)

They Work!!!!!
So far everything I've tried has worked.Especialy the amonia for skunks and lemon juice for fleas.

Run Screaming...
...from this book.
Good book.
Lots of useful secrets.Not worth the original $40 for the paperback though. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening / Horticulture    2. Organic    3. Pest Control    4. Reference    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Technology   

Reviews (2)

Teaming with Microbes
This book is superb. I read it in 2 days.From my own christain prospective, It clearly explains why and how God's way (Organic) is best. Best tasting, biggest, most healthy, most pest and disease resistant, and so on.Best in every way.A must have, for all serious gardener's! (Except those who think they are wiser than GOD.)Mr. Alan Terry

Garden Science that's fun to read!
Who knew anthropods, fungi and slime mold could be so facinating?This book brought the dirt in my garden and in my yard into view in a way that's easy to understand.Reads more like a great gardening artilce than a science bookBut science it is and its changed the way I think about feeding, weeds and pest control.I always knew that what was going on down there affected my plants and now I know why. A must read for gardners at all levels. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Organic    5. Organic Gardening    6. Soil ecology    7. Soil microbiology    8. Soils    9. Techniques    10. Gardening / Organic    11. Gardening: plants    12. Soil science, sedimentology   

Reviews (10)

WORM BOOK
I have only flicked through the book quickly as work is taking up to much time. But the book is what i wanted, especailly about setting up worms to use for fishing.Thanks

More Worms on the Net than in this Book
While this book is interesting, I found more information by surfing the net.

A "user friendly" guide to recycling kitchen food waste
Now in its revised second edition, Worms Eat My Garbage by Mary Appelhof is a practical and "user friendly" guide to recycling kitchen food waste, producing fertilizer for house and garden plants, growing fishing worms, and saving money, all through the process of a worm composting system. Worms Eat My Garbage is a simple, effective, "how-to" guide covering everything from how to set up a worm bin, to what types of garbage are best for worm composting, to taking care of the worms, to effectively saving money while reaping the benefits of the process. Worms Eat My Garbage is easy-to-follow, thorough, and enthusiastically recommended reference for environmentalists and gardeners. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 3-4    2. Earthworm culture    3. Earthworms    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Life Sciences - Ecology - Recycling    6. Organic    7. Techniques    8. Vermicomposting    9. Specialized gardening methods   

Reviews (4)

Very Good
Dont own previous books by Paul Stamets, but have read through a bunch. THis book is a really fine addition to the library. Lots of information, lots of color photos, and an enjoyable read. Get it.

this is an incredibly interesting + informative book
This is a well written, interesting book. And mycelium running has more relevance than I ever imagined (if I thought about it at all). In general, I'd ditch science books for literature in 2 seconds. But I just can't put this book down. It's definitely worth your $$$.

The most comprehensive mushroom/fungi book out there
Paul Stamets truly knows the material and has some great insights into the world of growing mushrooms. He succinctly describes how the science of the relatively unknown 5th kingdom (fungi) can be applied to mycoremediation to help unpollute the planet.Even though this sounds like a heavy subject, the material is understandable for people with little scientific or fungal knowledge and helps anybody understand hwo they too can get closer to mushrooms. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Environmental Science    3. Fungi    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Gardening/Plants    7. Life Sciences - Ecology    8. Medical Botany    9. Mushroom culture    10. Mycelium    11. Organic    12. Pharmacy    13. Reference    14. Specific Ingredients - Vegetables    15. Applied ecology   

Reviews (15)

The Bible of Gardening for our Household
I have read a few of the reviews below, and feel compelled to add my experience.
self promoting and little information
I am surprised by the good reviews here.
good book
This book is very good.If you're into sustainable agriculture and trying to grow your own food, it is a must. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Organic    5. Organic gardening    6. Techniques    7. Vegetable gardening    8. Vegetables    9. Fruit & vegetables    10. Specialized gardening methods   

Editorial Review

Wouldn't it be lovely to have a patch of corn, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and beans just steps from your kitchen door? Would you like to learn how to control your zucchini plant? Ed Smith, an experienced vegetable gardener from Vermont, has put together this amazingly comprehensive and commonsensical manual, Read more

Reviews (28)

intellectual plagiarism of traditional Chinese agricultural methods...
This method is what Chinese farmers have done for eons (4000+ years).Every letter of W-O-R-D is a componenent of Chinese deep bed agriculture.I find it shocking that someone can reinvent the wheel and proudly trumpet the reinvention.I suspect he has read "Better Vegetable Gardens the Chinese Way" by Peter Chan with Spencer Gill(1977) and ripped it off.
Helpful Tips!
I had learned so much about gardening from my mother and thought that I had enough knowledge and experience to start my own garden.But when I had several problems go wrong I searched high and low for advice to help take back my garden.This book gives you so many helpful tips on how to start from scratch, how to maintain, and how to develope a garden that you can enjoy for years to come.I would recommend this book for beginners and experienced gardeners.

Top Notch Guide - Comprehensive, User-Friendly, Proven but (best of all) Natural & Organic!
Looking to have a productive vegetable garden using an organic approach with less work and more pleasure?Well, Ed Smith has figured it all out for you and presents it in a wonderfully useful book which, as the title suggests, will serve as your 'bible'.
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Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Organic    5. Organic gardening    6. Vegetable gardening    7. Vegetables    8. Fruit & vegetables    9. Gardening / Vegetables   

Editorial Review

Burpee has created a truly encyclopedic, but non-intimidating, guide to organic vegetable gardening that can be used and appreciated by anyone, whether or not they've ever stuck a seed in the ground. All the essential information is here--how to condition the soil, how and where to plant, sprouting schedules, what kind of yield to expect from each plant variety, and harvesting tips--in beautiful, bountiful, illustrated detail; the book's largest section, "Plant Portraits," contains explanations of the many cultivars of each vegetable and herb. If you're a novice vegetable gardener or new to organic gardening and can only afford one gardening guide, this may be your best value. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Well Organized, Comprehensive, Excellent Layout
Burpee's "The Complete Vegetable and Herb Gardener: A Guide to Growing Your Garden Organically" is fantastic.In addition to what Burpee lists on the back cover of what is inside the book, there are also many easy-reading tables that contain excellent information such as the vitamin(s) that each vegetable contains, different cultivars, plant PH needs, watering needs per week, crop yields, etc.Many interesting tidbits. Vegatable Gardening Made Really Easy
Very similar in content and structure to Ortho's Complete Guide to Vegtables. The difference comes in the experience the writer has growing and maitaining the various plants.I find using both books gives different perspectives for growing and caretaking of plants but conatins the same basic information.For instance the Ortho book has better Garden Setup and maintenance data, and raw data on the various gardening aspects like fertilizer and pest eradiction.The Burpee book focuses on plant and cultivar details a little better. The book is filled with plenty high quality pictures of plants and their fruits using multiple pictures of various cultivars within plant families. Absolutely awesome
My daughter bought this for me on fathers day and it has helped me immensely.From the sections on soil testing and conditioning to the extensive vegetable articles, it has really helped make this year a total success.Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Herb Gardening    5. Herbs    6. Organic    7. Organic gardening    8. Vegetable Crops    9. Vegetable gardening    10. Vegetables    11. Fruit & vegetables    12. Gardening / Vegetables   

Reviews (14)

You've got to read this book!
I received this book as a gift. There are quite a few books on this subject on the market and this one is the best. I too could not put it down and finished it in 3 days. It's a huge book, a great resource that is well researched and written.. I have a few friends who've purchased this book and really loved it too. I can highly recommend this book.
natural gardening
great book, my new favorite, all natural-no chemicals
Good listing of what goes wrong and what to do
I love the listing of each plant species in this book, and the lavish pictures of pests and diseases. You can take this out to the peach tree or the magnolia and figure out what is wrong.
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Subjects:  1. Control    2. Garden pests    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Organic    6. Organic gardening    7. Plants, Protection of   

Reviews (13)

simply down to earth - literally
This is absolutely the best, straightforward, down to earth, organic gardening book I have ever read. No hype, no buzzwords, no new age crap, no agenda. Simply down to earth - literally.

A complete organic guide.
This is a very thorough and complete book that guides the reader through the set-up and maintenance of an organic garden.Great info on building the soil via natural and sustainable methods.Green manuring/cover croping is covered in great detail.This is also a complete plan for someone interested in running a market garden.Eliot Coleman shows that organic gardening is very simple, and that it can produce better quality items with less inputs.Overall, a great book that shows how we can protect and build our soils the natural way while harvesting a healthier and more quality crop.

Difficult to beat this book
Practical idealists, the Shakers demonstrated that it is possible for man to create the environment and way of life he wants, not by complaining about the system but by building their own domain arranged to their liking. Eliot Coleman, farm manager of the Mountain School Program of Milton Academy in Vershire, Vermont, has demonstrated that it is possible to undertake small-scale, commercial farming and gardening without the use of harmful pesticides by using cost-effective, environmentally sustainable methods to produce spectacular results with economy of effort and means. By offering a wealth of ideas; by identifying the most efficient and practical machinery and tools; by offering simple and efficient production techniques; and advising on the most remunerative marketing methods, this book is for the gardener and small farmer who has an unfulfilled dream to established an organic enterprise with minimal expense. When low cost production methods are allied with the right machinery and marketing practices, the viability of the 1-5 acre farm producing high quality food is not only possible but also enjoyable and profitable. Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Organic    5. Organic Gardening    6. Organic farming    7. Techniques    8. Truck farming    9. Vegetable Crops    10. Vegetable gardening   

Reviews (13)

a great reference
This book has somehow dissapeared from my collection in the last few months.Before that I couldn't understand why some of my friends had so much trouble understanding some simple gardening basics.Now that I no longer have this reference, my garden is failing miserably and I feel quite confused where I used to feel quite clear.

Great Quick Reference
This is a great overview book. No, it doesn't go into great depth, but it's always my first stop when I'm either curious, troubleshooting or just can't remember when to do what. Lot's of other books offer deeper info on the subject, it's not a handbook on organic technique (I recommend Eliot Coleman for that), but for quick checks and enough info to go squish that bug or leave it be, this helps.

Bitterly disappointed
I thought I was getting a 700 page book on organic concepts. Instead, this is a manual which briefly deals with anything garden related. Hundreds of pages are devoted to minimal information about specific plants (I had already purchased much better documention for this purpose) and also topics such as making potpourri, designing a landscape, and making a path. Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. Encyclopedias    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Organic gardening    6. Organiculture    7. Techniques   

Reviews (51)

A Great How-to On Safely Composting Effluent Back To Food!
Human effluent has been the nemesis of most societies for centuries and despite all of our current technological prowess, we have yet to intelligently address one of the most basic biological functions of our existence. And our effluent is backing-up on us, big time.
Don't think it's all going to be perfect though.
We were so inspired by this book we ripped out both our flush toliets. We started a large composting operation in our back yard. Now we have lots of mice and flies - yes we follow the directions to the letter. He states with proper covering, you won't get flies. Wrong. If you mix food with the foop no mice - wrong again! Mice and flies anyway - so you might want to start small first before you go sell your old porcelain potties. We feel slightly betrayed by this book.

One Great Use for Poop
I was very excited when I discovered this book, as I had been saving my bowel products for about six months at the time with only a vague understanding that they might someday be put to better use.Unfortunately I live in a small condo, and I don't have a garden, much less a compost heap.So I guess I will have to donate my hard earned sludge to someone who can help it return to nature.I wonder if you ever grow a carrot that has a peanut stuck in it.Also, anyone know a good use for bottled yellow? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. General    4. Life Sciences - Ecology    5. Life Sciences - Ecology - Recycling    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Organic    9. Science    10. Recycling   

Reviews (2)

Good find for apple growers, or potential growers!
I think this a very well written, well laid out book that could help you get started in the apple orchard business. The thing that I find most interesting about this book is that you don't need to be dedicated to organic methods to learn an enormous amount from this book. It is full of general information to aid in the whole process of growing apples.

The Apple Grower by Michael Phillips
The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist
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Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Apples    3. Fruit    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Gardening/Plants    7. Organic    8. Organic farming    9. United States    10. Organic gardening   

Reviews (3)

Buy only a used book
I bought this book through the mail and I wont tell you how much I spent on it.It really does have some interesting facts.A lot of repetitive ideas that can be confusing some times.Some of the tonics and things that I tried made my garden worse.In fact, it burnt some of my plants to the ground!Some of his recipes are confusing.Such as: he recommeds everything in this 20 gallon hose end sprayer.I went to many garden centers and everyone laughed at me.Nobody carries anything that large.that is for a garden the size of Texas!Who are these people that the tonics worked for?Come to my house and help me, then.

Great Green book of Garden Secrets
This is a wonderful and practical book.I tried two of the receipes in the book and had instant improvement in the appearance of my indoor and outdoor plants.I will be getting several copies for my gardening friends and family.

Grow your own
If you want to have the best "buds" on the block , I "highly" recommend this gem of a book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Organic    5. Techniques    6. Gardening / Techniques   

Reviews (7)

A 'must' for any serious culinary or home organic cook's collection.
Plenty of books on the market cover organic foods and health, but THE ORGANIC COOK'S BIBLE is a resource which goes beyond recipes to offer a survey of organic ingredients and how to choose, store and prepare them. Home cooks and chefs receive a guide which covers meats, dairy, herbs, spices and more, with an A-Z arrangement for quick and easy reference, and a survey of over a hundred organic foods, from flavor and nutrition benefits to storage, what to look for, and top varieties. A 'must' for any serious culinary or home organic cook's collection.
Amazing!!An absolute must have reference book
I borrowed this book on an impulse from our local library.I was pleasantly surprised at how thorough and easy to use this book is.It is an absolute must, whether you are into organic foods or not.It covers everything from fruits & vegetables, meats, dairy, grains, pasta and nuts.
You need this book.
This book answers all of my questions about produce: the organic factor, (which tells you whether a certain product is sprayed heavily with toxins when you cannot purchase organic), nutrition details, seasonality, what to look for when buying, preparation, and uses.
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Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cookery (Natural foods)    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Health & Healing - General    6. Natural foods    7. Organic Gardening    8. Specific Ingredients - General    9. Cooking / Specific Ingredients / General    10. Food & Drink / Cookery   

Reviews (4)

Wealth of knowledge
Loaded with good no-nonsense information on preparing a productive garden in an efficient and economical manner.

gardening when it counts
I own Steve's previous book and have gardened for years using his method. This book explains in great detail how plants grow and survive down to the line drawings of root structure for most vegetables. That helped me to understand just how important it is to space my plants correctly. His description of how to manage the soil before planting is great! I can't wait to get out in the garden and amaze my neighbors!!

A good, basic, orgainic vegtable gardening book
This is an excellent vegetable gardening book. Although Mr. Solomon has moved to Tasmania and now expands his scope to much of the English speaking world; if you have read his "Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades", you will find much that is familiar here.If not, you will find excellent information on seeds, where to buy them, how to prepare the garden bed and plant them, how to choose and maintain quality tools, composting and fertilizing, pest and disease problems, irrigation, and some specific plant growing advice.
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Subjects:  1. Fruit    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. General    6. Organic    7. Vegetables    8. Gardening / General   

Editorial Review

World-renowned scientist and conservationist Jane Goodall earned her fame by studying chimpanzee feeding habits. But in Read more

Reviews (22)

A Gentle Book With A Big Message
Dr. Jane Goodall has done it again. In her gentle and unassuming style she has wielded a strong message--in this case--a call to consciousness. Reading "Harvest for Hope" has made me so much more aware of my own personal choices and how these connect to the "collective" choices of my larger community. I have been motivated to question many of my "consumer" behaviors in a new light. However, after reading this book I am also motivated to celebrate mindful eating and to recognize the joy that can come from indulging in the earth's bounty in a responsible way. Thank you again, Dr. Goodall!

Great read with wonderful insight
Having read a variety of organic minded eating books I found this book refreshing because of the new things I learned, that make my lacto ova vegetarian mindset even more serious.Like I didn't know how they grow farm raised salmon or tiger prawns and that it is both less healthy and more expensive in the long run.Or that one of my favorite television chefs, Jamie Oliver from Britain who is known as the Naked Chef, is responsible for getting healthy foods into the British public schools, via his Feed Me Better campaign.
Eye Opening
In this book I got much more than I thought possible.Besides being well written, poignant and having a thought provoking subject the book clearly demonstrates very real dangers in our current food culture around the world and ways to change them.
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Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness    2. Environmental protection    3. Food industry and trade    4. Gastronomy    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Healthy Living    8. Technology    9. Nutrition    10. Nutrition And Diet    11. Health & Fitness / Nutrition    12. Food Science    13. Organic farming   

Editorial Review

This gardening classic was first published in 1975, and now a second generation of gardeners who prefer pest-resistant planning to chemicals will find a place for it on the shelves. Not only does it tell what to plant with what, but also how to use herbal sprays to control insects, what wild plants to encourage in the garden, how to grow fruit and nut trees, how to start small plots or window-box gardens, and much more. It's one of the most practical books around for any gardener of edibles, no matter how serious or casual. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Widely Available Free Information
Louise Riotte passed away in 1998 at the age of 89.
Carrots hate tomatoes
There is almost no science to back up the author's claims about the benefits of companion plants. Most of her book is based on folk tales, myths and assumptions.
Alphabetical Gardening Guide
This book is a gardening guide that focuses on companion planting.The book consists of short articles arranged in alphabetical order.In addition to articles about common garden plants, there are also articles about trees, topics relating to plant genetics and nutrition, pests, and diseases.Each article about a garden plant mentions other plants that do well with the plant, as well as those that don't.In each case, Riotte notes whether the companion plants should be interplanted or planted in separate but nearby rows, and explains the reasoning behind the preferences. The plant articles generally include the scientific names for the plants as well as the common names.The insect articles cover beneficial insects as well as pests.Suggested solutions for garden problems are all organic. The book is amply illustrated with pen-and-ink drawings.Following the alphabetical part of the book is a collection of longer articles and charts with useful information, including a pollination reference, a list of nut trees, a description of common poisonous plants and how to recognize them, a model garden plan, a list of garden suppliers, a list of suggested readings, and an index. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Companion crops    2. Companion planting    3. Dictionaries    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Gardening/Plants    7. Organic    8. Plants, Useful&nb