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by: Fern Marshall Bradley (Editor), Barbara W. Ellis (Editor)
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Book Description:
From Library Journal As the subtitle suggests, this book (an updated version of Rodale's Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening , 1959) is a basic reference, not only for organic gardeners but for all gardeners. As integrated pest management becomes more important, for instance, the methods and products that have been known to organic gardeners for decades are now being investigated and appreciated by the mainstream. Composting, xeriscaping, permaculture, environment--all these and 400 or so more have complete entries. A useful introduction explains how best to use the book and suggests core sections for initial reading. Entries are cross-referenced and include further reading lists, related organizations, and key words. Common and botanical names are listed, and while food plants are entered under their common names, ornamentals and herbs are entered under their botanical names. This is an important, complete, well-arranged, and attractive reference tool. Your patrons will expect to find it in your collections. - Carol Cubberly, Univ. of South ern Mississippi, Hattiesburg Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Book News, Inc. Attitudes have changed in the 32 years since the first edition, and the idea of eschewing chemical pesticides and fertilizers in favor of compost piles, crop rotation, and other such means of growing healthy plants has broader acceptance. The Encyclopedia sets forth the basics, with entries on a large number of plants and their cultivation, soil preparation methods, pests, garden plans, etc. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
Review "Gardens are places to renew yourself in mind and body, to reawaken to the truth and beauty of the natural world, and to feel the life force inside and around you. And the organic way to garden is safer, cheaper, and more satisfying. Organic gardeners have shown that it's possible to have pleasant and productive gardens in every part of this country without using toxic chemicals. They make their home grounds an island of purity."--Robert Rodale Review "...not only for organic gardeners but for all gardeners."--Library Journal "Rodale's aim was to provide a comprehensive, readable, and practical book on nonchemical gardening and farming. This update succeeds admirably in meeting that goal--just as it continues, like its predecessors, to inspire responsible stewardship of the land."--Linda Yang, The New York Times
Book Description Over 400 entries of the most practical, up-to-date gardening information ever, collected from garden experts and writers nationwide! "Gardens are places to renew yourself in mind and body, to reawaken to the truth and beauty of the natural world, and to feel the life force inside and around you. And the organic way to garden is safer, cheaper, and more satisfying. Organic gardeners have shown that it's possible to have pleasant and productive gardens in every part of this country without using toxic chemicals. They make their home grounds an island of purity."--Robert Rodale From the Back Cover Over 400 entries of the most practical, up-to-date gardening information ever, collected from garden experts and writers nationwide! "Gardens are places to renew yourself in mind and body, to reawaken to the truth and beauty of the natural world, and to feel the life force inside and around you. And the organic way to garden is safer, cheaper, and more satisfying. Organic gardeners have shown that it's possible to have pleasant and productive gardens in every part of this country without using toxic chemicals. They make their home grounds an island of purity."--Robert Rodale
Reviews:
I can reach behind me and grab this book without looking! I've been running an organic gardening web site since 1995 and hardly a day has passed that I don't reach behind me (without looking now) and pull this book out. Many of my readers have bought this book on my suggestion and they are all happy with it too. I like the way the book is organized, and I really like the way they stress soil health as an important component to organic gardening. As some of the reviews have noted, this book leans to cold climates, but that's no big deal, really. The information translates well for those of us lucky enough to be planting two gardens a year. This is, first and foremost, a reference book, and a damn fine place to start....
An excellent general gardening guide: I have poked through endless shelves of gardening books, seeking the one, complete gardening book that I could use as a reference for everything! I was looking for one that would tell not only how to plant and grow things, but also how to harvest and prepare the products. How should you cut your asparagus so as not to damage the crowns? How do you dry your herbs? This was one of the few gardening books that addressed this aspect. This was not its only outstanding characteristic. Not only does this book address the vegetable garden, it also tackles anything the home gardener is likely to face. Houseplants, trees and shrubs, ornamental plants as well as productive plants. It covers general topics, such as crop rotation, in addition to specific plants. And it is all arranged alphabetically, and nicely cross-indexed, so that you can nearly always find what you need. The first and second time I bought this book, it was as a gift. I finally had to get it for myself as well. It is the best I have found so far.
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. It doesn't touch on topics which I've learned elsewhere online. For instance, I've been interested in using compost tea in my garden. The book has exactly 58 words devoted to this subject. It doesn't even touch on how to make aerated compost teas or the concept of applying compost tea as a foliar feed for plant disease control. At least everything is alphabetical (the "encyclopedia" part in the name) so it's easy to find. If you are looking for an all-in-one book for anything garden related, this might be your book. If you are looking for specific organic gardening information, look elsewhere. You will have to dig mighty hard to find detailed organic concepts in this book.
Too much of too little: Most of the material found in this book can be obtained from your state university extension or on the web, often times in greater detail. Although reasonably priced, this reference contains only surface level information.