Download or read book Compost Science for Gardeners written by Robert Pavlis and published by New Society Publishers. This book was released on 2023-01-24 with total page 157 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Create your own compost and grow better plants. With breathtaking clarity, Compost Science for Gardeners demystifies composting practices and helps readers determine the best technique for their unique situation. This comprehensive science-based book is your key to building healthier soil and growing better plants. Using plain language and easy-to-follow instructions, this essential resource distills and blends the latest scientific research with the author's many decades of knowledge and experience into manageable form, debunking a host of common gardening myths along the way. Learn about: The role of composting in the ecological cycle Compostable materials to incorporate and those to avoid Browns and greens vs the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio The full range of composting methods, including cold and hot composting; composting in piles, bins, and tumblers; and pit and trench composting Keyhole gardening, food digesters, vermicomposting, bokashi, eco-enzyme fermentation, and more The relative merits and impact on the environment of each composting technique Using finished compost to improve soil health Anyone can compost. Whether you are a balcony or backyard gardener, market gardener, small-scale farmer, or homesteader, or even if you are simply looking for a way to keep organic matter out of the landfill, this book will show you how to do it simply, safely, and sensibly.
Download or read book Soil Science for Gardeners written by Robert Pavlis and published by New Society Publishers. This book was released on 2020-04-07 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Build healthy soil and grow better plants Robert Pavlis, a gardener for over four decades, debunks common soil myths, explores the rhizosphere, and provides a personalized soil fertility improvement program in this three-part popular science guidebook. Healthy soil means thriving plants. Yet untangling the soil food web and optimizing your soil health is beyond most gardeners, many of whom lack an in-depth knowledge of the soil ecosystem. Soil Science for Gardeners is an accessible, science-based guide to understanding soil fertility and, in particular, the rhizosphere – the thin layer of liquid and soil surrounding plant roots, so vital to plant health. Coverage includes: Soil biology and chemistry and how plants and soil interact Common soil health problems, including analyzing soil's fertility and plant nutrients The creation of a personalized plan for improving your soil fertility, including setting priorities and goals in a cost-effective, realistic time frame. Creating the optimal conditions for nature to do the heavy lifting of building soil fertility Written for the home gardener, market gardener, and micro-farmer, Soil Science for Gardeners is packed with information to help you grow thriving plants.
Download or read book Sustainable Market Farming written by Pam Dawling and published by New Society Publishers. This book was released on 2013-02-01 with total page 459 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Growing for 100 - the complete year-round guide for the small-scale market grower. Across North America, an agricultural renaissance is unfolding. A growing number of market gardeners are emerging to feed our appetite for organic, regional produce. But most of the available resources on food production are aimed at the backyard or hobby gardener who wants to supplement their family's diet with a few homegrown fruits and vegetables. Targeted at serious growers in every climate zone, Sustainable Market Farming is a comprehensive manual for small-scale farmers raising organic crops sustainably on a few acres. Informed by the author's extensive experience growing a wide variety of fresh, organic vegetables and fruit to feed the approximately one hundred members of Twin Oaks Community in central Virginia, this practical guide provides: Detailed profiles of a full range of crops, addressing sowing, cultivation, rotation, succession, common pests and diseases, and harvest and storage Information about new, efficient techniques, season extension, and disease resistant varieties Farm-specific business skills to help ensure a successful, profitable enterprise Whether you are a beginning market grower or an established enterprise seeking to improve your skills, Sustainable Market Farming is an invaluable resource and a timely book for the maturing local agriculture movement.
Download or read book Garden Myths written by Robert Pavlis and published by . This book was released on 2017-01-26 with total page 206 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Garden Myths examines over 120 horticultural urban legends. Turning wisdom on its head, Robert Pavlis dives deep into traditional garden advice and debunks the myths and misconceptions that abound. He asks critical questions and uses science-based information to understand plants and their environment. Armed with the truth, Robert then turns this knowledge into easy-to-follow advice. - Is fall the best time to clean the garden? - Do bloom boosters work?- Will citronella plants reduce mosquitoes in the garden?- Do pine needles acidify soil?- Should tomatoes be suckered?- Should trees be staked at planting time? - Can burlap keep your trees warm in winter?- Will a pebble tray increase humidity for houseplants? "Garden Myths is a must-read for anyone who wants to use environmentally sound practices. This fascinating and informative book will help you understand plants better, reduce unnecessary work, convince you to buy fewer products and help you enjoy gardening more."
Download or read book The New Gardener s Handbook written by Daryl Beyers and published by Timber Press. This book was released on 2020-02-18 with total page 698 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Gardeners just starting out will earn a sense of accomplishment and a good dose of knowledge.” —Booklist Every new gardener has to start somewhere—and the process can be intimidating. Knowing when and what to plant, how to care for the plants once they’re in the ground, and how to keep pests and diseases away is a lot to take on. Luckily, Daryl Beyers—an expert from the New York Botanical Garden—has written what will be a go-to resource for decades to come. The New Gardener’s Handbook is a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of gardening, based on the introductory gardening class that Beyers teaches at NYBG. Readers will learn about soil, plant selection, propagation, planting and mulching, watering and feeding, pruning, and weeds, pests, and diseases. The information applies to both ornamental and edible plants. Featuring inspiring photography and helpful illustrations, The New Gardener’s Handbook gives home gardeners a foundation upon which they can grow, and encourages them to apply the lessons they’ve learned in an intuitive, natural way.
Download or read book Grow Your Soil written by Diane Miessler and published by Storey Publishing, LLC. This book was released on 2020-02-18 with total page 177 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Growing awareness of the importance of soil health means that microbes are on the minds of even the most casual gardeners. After all, anyone who has ever attempted to plant a thriving patch of flowers or vegetables knows that what you grow is only as good as the soil you grow it in. It is possible to create and maintain rich, dark, crumbly soil that’s teeming with life, using very few inputs and a no-till, no-fertilizer approach. Certified permaculture designer and lifelong gardener Diane Miessler presents the science of soil health in an engaging, entertaining voice geared for the backyard grower. She shares the techniques she has used — including cover crops, constant mulching, and a simple-but-supercharged recipe for compost tea — to transform her own landscape from a roadside dump for broken asphalt to a garden that stops traffic, starting from the ground up.
Download or read book The Ever Curious Gardener written by Lee Reich and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Ever Curious Gardener is an irreverent romp through the natural science of plants. Ideal for gardeners moving beyond back-of-the-seed-pack planting, it digs into the science "behind the scenes" in the garden. Acclaimed gardener, scientist, and author Lee Reich offers insights and practical guidance on growing a much better garden.
Download or read book Teaming with Microbes written by Wayne Lewis and published by Timber Press. This book was released on 2010-09-10 with total page 220 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Healthy soil teems with life—not just earthworms and insects, but a staggering multitude of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. Chemical fertilizers injure the microbial life that sustains healthy plants, and the soil becomes increasingly dependent on artificial, often toxic, substances. But there is an alternative: by strengthening the soil food web—the complex world of soil-dwelling organisms—gardeners can create a nurturing environment for plants. Teaming with Microbes extols the benefits of cultivating the soil food web. It clearly explains the activities and organisms that make up the web, and explains how gardeners can cultivate the life of the soil through the use of compost, mulches, and compost tea. With Jeff Lowenfels’ help, everyone—from devotees of organic gardening techniques to weekend gardeners who simply want to grow healthy, vigorous plants—can create rich, nurturing, living soil.
Download or read book The Rodale Book of Composting written by Deborah L. Martin and published by Rodale. This book was released on 1992-01-15 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Explains what composting is and how it works, provides instructions for making and using compost, and offers ecologically sound solutions to waste disposal problems
Download or read book Regenerative Soil written by Matt Powers and published by Permaculturepowers123. This book was released on 2021 with total page 270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Get down to the individual microbe, enzyme, and ion & learn to partner with your soil micro to macro for incredible plants, yields, nutrition, and increasingly better soil every year! This is the book for you if you are looking for clear recipes, visual science, the chemistry, the biology, and the bridges connecting them all. If you have ever wondered what is really going on in the soil and are searching for solutions, this is the book for you.
Download or read book Building Natural Ponds written by Robert Pavlis and published by New Society Publishers. This book was released on 2017-04-07 with total page 185 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Build a natural pond for wildlife, beauty, and quiet contemplation Typical backyard ponds are a complicated mess of pipes, pumps, filters, and nasty chemicals designed to adjust pH and keep algae at bay. Hardly the bucolic, natural ecosystem beloved by dragonflies, frogs, and songbirds. The antidote is a natural pond, free of hassle, cost, and complexity and designed as a fully functional ecosystem, ideal for biodiversity, swimming, irrigation, and quiet contemplation. Building Natural Ponds is the first step-by-step guide to designing and building natural ponds that use no pumps, filters, chemicals, or electricity and mimic native ponds in both aesthetics and functionality. Highly illustrated with how-to drawings and photographs, coverage includes: Understanding pond ecosystems and natural algae control Planning, design, siting, and pond aesthetics Step-by-step guidance for construction, plants and fish, and maintenance and trouble shooting Scaling up to large ponds, pools, bogs, and rain gardens. Whether you're a backyard gardener looking to add a small serene natural water feature or a homesteader with visions of a large pond for fish, swimming, and irrigation, Building Natural Ponds is the complete guide to building ponds in tune with nature, where plants, insects, and amphibians thrive in blissful serenity. Robert Pavlis , a Master Gardener with over 40 years of gardening experience, is owner and developer of Aspen Grove Gardens, a six-acre botanical garden featuring over 2,500 varieties of plants. A well-respected speaker and teacher, Robert has published articles in Mother Earth News , Ontario Gardening magazine, the widely read blog GardenMyths.com, which explodes common gardening myths and gardening information site GardenFundamentals.com.
Download or read book Grow Compost written by Zia Allaway and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2021-05-25 with total page 688 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover everything you need to know to kickstart your composting journey! Dig into compost basics and get to grips with the many benefits of composting and the tools you’ll need to get the job done. It’s time to let your garden grow! You don't have to be a horticulture expert to get started, this indispensable compost gardening book for beginners will take you through every single step! It includes: • Gardening tips on how to make compost at home • Packed with practical, jargon-free advice, and simple DIY composting techniques • Easy-to-follow format to help grow your gardening knowledge Ready, set, compost! Perfect for first-time gardeners, this is your no-fuss guide to composting! From making your own fertilizer for plants to building your own compost bin, this sustainable gardening book will help you give your vegetable and flower garden a boost. Gorgeous, full-color photography provides plenty of inspiration to get you started! Expert tips and step-by-step instructions on every page help make sure that you care for your garden in the right way for them to flourish. Grow your garden knowledge even more Make your green-fingered dreams a reality with the Grow series from DK. Learn how to brighten up even the trickiest areas in Grow Containers, or discover how to garden more sustainably in Grow Eco-Gardening. Alternatively, there are more titles to explore such as Grow Pruning & Training and Grow Houseplants.
Download or read book Plant Partners written by Jessica Walliser and published by Storey Publishing, LLC. This book was released on 2020-12-22 with total page 217 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Companion planting has a long history of use by gardeners, but the explanation of why it works has been filled with folklore and conjecture. Plant Partners delivers a research-based rationale for this ever-popular growing technique, offering dozens of ways you can use scientifically tested plant partnerships to benefit your whole garden. Through an enhanced understanding of how plants interact with and influence each other, this guide suggests specific plant combinations that improve soil health and weed control, decrease pest damage, and increase biodiversity, resulting in real and measurable impacts in the garden.
Download or read book Compost written by Clare Foster and published by Hachette UK. This book was released on 2014-04-21 with total page 198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this new edition of her hands-on guide to the art of composting, House & Garden garden editor, Clare Foster, shows you how to build a compost box, select the best ingredients and put the resulting organic compost to the best use in your outdoor space. By taking some dead leaves, grass cuttings and old banana skins and enlisting the help of bacteria, insects and nature, you can improve and enrich your soil, feed your plants and nourish your vegetables, restoring the natural balance of life in your garden.
Download or read book Easy Compost written by Brooklyn Botanic Garden and published by Brooklyn Botanic Garden. This book was released on 1997 with total page 118 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Includes information on composting's history; tips on equipment; tips for difficult climes; composting indoors; making humus in small spaces; and using compost in the garden.
Download or read book The Intelligent Gardener written by Steve Solomon and published by New Society Publishers. This book was released on 2012-12-25 with total page 339 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Presents advice on how to improve growing soil, discussing some of the current misconceptions about soil and providing the best methods for adding enhancements that will produce nutrient-dense foods.
Download or read book Microbe Science for Gardeners written by Robert Pavlis and published by New Society Publishers. This book was released on 2023-09-12 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Your garden's little helpers – the role of microbes in growing great plants Microscopic organisms are as important to plant growth as water and light. Microbe Science for Gardeners highlights the essential role of microbes in plant biosystems and soil health, provides practical how-to gardening advice for enhancing plant microbiomes, and debunks common gardening myths. This accessible guide goes beyond soil biology to examine the crucial role of microorganisms in cultivating a productive garden. Coverage includes: The vital interrelationships in microbe populations and between microbes and plants Understanding microbes such as bacteria, yeast, mycorrhizal fungi, and protozoa, both in the rhizosphere and above ground Scientific breakthroughs about microbes that live in the leaves and roots of plants, forming symbiotic relationships How practices such as tilling, crop rotation, and mulching affect the microbe community How the savvy gardener can influence microbial colonies to encourage beneficial organisms while discouraging those that cause disease or other undesirable effects An objective, common-sense analysis of recently popularized practices such as controlling fungal-to-bacterial ratios and applying biostimulants, compost tea, or plant probiotics Prevention and cures for dozens of bacterial, viral, and fungal plant diseases. Whether you're a home gardener, market gardener, or micro-farmer, Microbe Science for Gardeners will help you leverage the incredible power of the mighty microbe to grow healthy, strong, thriving plants.
