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 (6)

Good basic information
Sadly, composting has a bit of a bad reputation some places.Many people imagine that you have to wear Birkenstocks and take part in anti-globalization marches, grow your facial hair and bathe infrequently to compost.Nothing could be farther from the truth!
Total novice, but the pile is coming along
This book is my first on composting, and while it didn't give me the desire to do it, it certainly gave me a great start in figuring it out.It seems to be well worth the read so far.

I'll be a pro at composting by the end of the season
This is a great, clear cut, interesting and fun-to-read book! Stu Campbell is able to take what, to newcomers, can be a daunting task and not only present us with the basics to feel comfortable but he also translates some of the scientific "mumbo-jumbo" of how and why compost works into layman's terms. He includes real "recipes" and approaches to try as well as suppling a list (though not nearly complete) of good materials to compost as well as what NOT to use. A short "troubleshooting" chapter called "Things You Might Worry About a Little" is a bit over the top for beginners but is part of what makes this book valuable for the seasoned composter. Let It Rot! is a not-to-technical, well-written, easy-to-read guide that takes the "yuck" out of your composting ideas! Perfect for beginners and a great refresher for near professional composters. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Compost    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Reference    6. Soil Fertilization    7. Technology    8. Gardening / Reference    9. Specialized gardening methods   

Reviews (1)

Perfectly formatted, easy to read work of gardening art!
I went to the library today to see if they had anything new. I've read about every book our small library has which pertains to gardening.Out of the corner of my eye I happened upon "Secrets to Great Soil."Itlooked interesting; I checked it out.I am now here at amazon.com topurchase this book.I've been organic gardening for 25 years and in allthese many years have not found a book which thoroughly lists organic,inorganic, and synthetic fertilizers in a format which is easy to discern. It is easy to read for anyone, regardless the experience.Both novice andadvanced gardeners will enjoy this journey of soil science along with theexplanation.I am deeply moved by all the work which went into this highlyrecommended publication. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Garden soils    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. General    6. Reference    7. Soil management    8. Soils    9. Gardening / Reference   

Reviews (1)

The best book of unsaturated soil I have ever seen !
If you want to study unsaturated soil, this is the book that you must have. Excellent work ! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Engineering - Civil    3. Gardening    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Soil Mechanics    6. Soil moisture    7. Soils    8. Techniques    9. Technology & Industrial Arts    10. Testing    11. Soil & rock mechanics    12. Technology / Engineering / Civil   

Reviews (1)

Great for any of your gardening friends!
This is a great Chrstimas present for any of you who have gardening friends.I loved it!It's also a great coffee table book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animal Ecology    2. Ecology    3. Garden animals    4. Garden ecology    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Insects    7. Plant Ecology    8. Science    9. Soil animals    10. Gardens (descriptions, history etc)    11. Science / General    12. Science: General Issues   

Subjects:  1. Agricultural ecology    2. Agriculture - Agronomy    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. General    5. New Age    6. Organic farming    7. Organiculture    8. Soil Science    9. Soil management    10. Soils   

Reviews (2)

Textbook
I am using this book as a textbook for a Soil Nutrition class.The book is surprisingly interesting considering it is a textbook.It is an excellent reference for soil and soil/plant nutrition questions.

This is an excellent book!
What a boring topic, you may think.Who could write a thick book about soil?And who possibly can read it?You may be surprised!If your interest is in the field of landscape architecture, horticulture, forestry, gardening, site engineering e.g. this book will give you a professional knowledge, in a very systematic, approachable way.I will keep Soil Science in my professional library as a reference book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Garden Design    2. Gardening    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Soil Science    5. Soil management    6. Soil science, sedimentology   

Reviews (2)

For hot, dry and high pH soils (Texas Hill Country)
Dry limestone based soils such as the Edwards Plateau area of Texas and other places in the southwest, provide a major challenge to gardening which is addessed in this book. In such areas many plants simply will not grow well. Trying to get them to do so is an exercise in frustration and general garden books can lead you far astray. This book is not about how to try to change your soil, high pH soils cannot be effectively acidified.The book is about plants, trees, shrubs and varieties that do well in dry calcarious soil conditions. It will save you a lot of time, money and frustration if you face these conditions. A great book, a gold mine of information.

this is an invaluable book for Central Texas gardeners
This is the most practical, useful, and enjoyable book on gardening that someone in the Texas Hill Country could ever want!It's not as big or comprehensive as the Wasowskis' "Native Texas Plants: LandscapingRegion by Region", but that's because it focuses on the challenges ofgardening in these "difficult" (nice word!) soils that we livewith. Ogden's observations and advice about dealing with our limestone andcaliche, and his reality-based recommendations of plants to use and theones to avoid, gave me hope, encouragement, and new ideas for making thiscorner of the world a more beautiful place!It's got some great colorphotos, too. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Flowers - General    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Gardens, Chalk    6. Gardens, Limestone    7. General    8. Home Gardening    9. Problem soils    10. Soil Classification    11. Southwestern States    12. Techniques   

Reviews (1)

great reference
This book provides an excellent, easy to follow description about not only sportsturf drainage but drainage in general.The diagrams also prove very helpful to aid in understanding the material.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - Agronomy    2. Agriculture - Irrigation    3. Drainage    4. Gardening    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Life Sciences - Horticulture    7. Reference    8. Soil percolation    9. Synthetic sporting surfaces    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Turfgrasses    12. Architecture / Landscape    13. Horticulture    14. Land reclamation & drainage    15. Sporting venues   

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - Agronomy    2. Agriculture - Crop Science    3. Architecture    4. Fertilizers    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Landscape    7. Life Sciences - Horticulture    8. Soil chemistry    9. Soil fertility    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Turf management    12. Turfgrasses    13. Architecture / Landscape   

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - Agronomy    2. Analysis    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Methodology    5. Soil Science    6. Soil microbiology    7. Soils    8. Technology & Industrial Arts   

Reviews (1)

This informative book is about soils and fertilization
Many people are interested in dirt.People who clean cars are interested in dirt.The nice people at Proctor & Gamble are very intereted in dirt.But perhaps the most interested of all are farmers who spend much of their time thinking about dirt, putting things in dirt and taking things out of the dirt.Sometimes they don't take enough things out of the dirt or the wrong things grow in the dirt, so they have to add more stuff to the dirt to make it more productive. This is often fertilizer except in Arkansas where they use tobacco juice.In less robust economies (read, those not served by Archer Daniels) fertilizer is often based on human or animal wastes.In those societies this cyclical cycle is called survival. Here in the United States of America it is called Organic Farming and one should expect to pay a pretty price for it.As a matter of fact, the other day, I was in the Wild Oats Market near where I live and they were charging this gosh-awful price f! or something called organic bananas. Now, I like organic foods as much as the next guy, but let's face it, paying over $1 per pound for organic bananas is nuts.(Hmmm. I didn't even really mix my metaphor).Back in 1967 when I was working as a porter at the old A&P warehouse, we had to unload freight cars of bananas and put them into a special room to ripen them.And we couldn't care less back then if it was organic or not.A banana was a banana and aside from those we would swipe when we were hungry, our greatest concern was not getting bitten by a spider or one of those gigantic roaches that would stowaway on the banana boats. As long as the banana is not too mushy and someone doesn't try to fool me by substituting a plantain, I don't really care what they put around the roots.But I digress.Read more

Subjects:  1. Agricultural Chemistry    2. Agriculture - Agronomy    3. Crops    4. Fertilizers    5. Gardening/Plants    6. General    7. Nutrition    8. Science    9. Soil Fertilization    10. Soil fertility    11. Fertilizers & manures    12. Soil science, sedimentology   

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. Compost    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Life Sciences - Ecology - Recycling    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Night soil    8. Sewage as fertilizer    9. Techniques    10. Industrial chemistry    11. Sewage treatment & disposal    12. Waste management    13. Ecology - Recycling    14. Sewage Disposal And Treatment   

Reviews (1)

Review of Gardening in Clay Soil
This small, easy to read pamphlet lays out the exact how to's and what not to do working with clay soil. Clay soil can be so frustrating to work with but with the help of this book I feel that I can be much more successful in improving my soil thereby enjoying greater success in my gardening. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Clay soils    2. Flowers - General    3. Garden soils    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Gardening/Plants    7. Home Gardening    8. Soil management    9. Gardening / Flowers / General   

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - Agronomy    2. Garden soils    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Organic Gardening    5. Soil management    6. Technology & Industrial Arts   

Reviews (2)

all about fertilizers, soils, and water
amazing book. easy to follow technical info. Excellent discussion fo soils! One of the best I have seen.
This is one of the very best books available to the backyard gardener for an accurate and truely understandable discussion of soils and fertilizers.Too many books and magazines don't present the scientifically sound review that this publication does.The terms used and concepts presented are scientifically correct and understandable to the average gardener.I would highly recommend this book to other publishers that venture into the area of soil science articles. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fertilizers    2. Garden soils    3. Gardening    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Irrigation    6. Soil management   

Reviews (2)

A MUST HAVE GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
This book covers all the basics of composting and how to use it properly.It is well researched with "gobs" of very useful references.I highly recommend it as a foundation for real guidance on how to produce, handle and use compost.

Composting Comes Down to Earth
Pete Stoeffella in his down-to-earth matter-of-fact manner has collected some of the best information available for the grower. Indeed it is the best composting information available today. Without good compost returned to the soil growers will find an inabilably to sustain good yields. This books shows growers how a good compost is made and how it is best used while bringing to light many of compost's best qualities such as water retention as well as good drainage, nutrient retention, nutrient availability, and suppression of many diseases. This book is a resourse and reference book for any organic gardener and is sure to become an integral part of "closing the loop" on a resource previously considered disposable waste. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - Agronomy    2. Agriculture - General    3. Compost    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Horticultural Crops    6. Horticulture    7. Life Sciences - Horticulture    8. Regional - General    9. Soil Fertilization    10. Technology    11. Technology & Industrial Arts    12. Gardening    13. Soil science, sedimentology    14. Technology / Agriculture & Animal Husbandry   

Reviews (1)

Plant Nutrition Manual
This is a nice compact book that can be used to teach plant nutrition.The directions on making DIY kits for tissue analysis are interesting. I wish the author had icluded a guiding range of values corresponding to the five elemental requirement categories in Appendix D. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Flowers    2. Gardening    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Life Sciences - Botany    6. Life Sciences - Horticulture    7. Nutrition    8. Plant Biochemistry    9. Plants    10. Reference    11. Science    12. Soil Fertilization    13. Biochemistry    14. Botany & plant sciences    15. Crop husbandry    16. Science / Botany   

Subjects:  1. Gardening / Horticulture    2. Gardening / Organic    3. Gardening / Techniques    4. Organic    5. Science / Horticulture    6. Business & Economics    7. Compost    8. Compost industry    9. Gardening    10. Horticulture    11. Marketing    12. Marketing - General    13. Sales & Selling    14. Science    15. Soil Fertilization    16. Techniques   

Subjects:  1. Garden soils    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. General    6. Home Gardening    7. Soil management    8. Gardening / Reference    9. Soil science, sedimentology