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Book Review
This year a new gardening book was published and appears
in the Real Goods catalog. The title is "Solar Gardening"
by Leandre & Gretchen Poisson. Yesterday my wife got
a copy from the library and I read parts of it.
The cover has a promotion by Jeff Cox which says "The best
book on season extending I've ever seen". The book does
concentrate on solar season extenders and presents a
somewhat unique system of rigid cloches.
My overall impression is that the book is good, but not
exceptional. The book is definitely worth checking out
and reading. I personally would not buy the book
because of the price ($25) and because it is not a
reference tool which would be used often.
Jeff (vote with your lifestyle)
NEW EDITION
A Guide to Ecological Soil Management
by Grace Gershuny & Joseph Smillie
Third Edition, 1995
This handbook provides a practical introduction
to managing soils for long-term productivity.
It offers useful guidelines to help make sound
management decisions based on ecological principles.
"This one belongs in the library of anyone who wants a quick reference
manual on practical solutions to practical problems."
--Charles Walters, editor of Acres, U.S.A.
In an era of escalating costs, The Soul of Soil is a welcome tool,
with many sensible ways to save money and use less chemicals. The
reference shows you how to observe and evaluate your soil's texture,
moisture, structure, drainage, compaction, organic content, and
biological health. It explains how to interpret your own and
laboratory soil tests, then design the best program to improve your
soil, correcting its deficiencies to produce superlative crops.
Some of the techniques for building fertile soil included in this
reference:
* Organic Matter Management
* Building & Maintaining Humus
* On-Farm Composting
* Green Manures & Crop Rotations
* Cultivation & Weed Control
* Nutrient Balances & Soil Testing
* Using Mineral Fertilizers
* Storing and Applying Animal Manures
* Drainage, Irrigation & Tillage
* Erosion Prevention
IMPROVE YOUR SOIL WHILE REDUCING COSTS AND USING FEWER CHEMICALS.
The Soul of Soil explains how soil organisms supply plants with the
necessary nutrients at the right time, in the right form and in the
right amount. The goal of ecological soil management is to enhance
conditions for the billions of microbes found in every gram of healthy
soil, without reliance on purchased inputs.
For those who have already implemented organic certification or are
considering doing so, the discussions of recordkeeping, materials
evaluation, and federal regulations will aid in planning.
The Soul of Soil includes many tables, a glossary, lists of resource
groups & organizations, and a bibliography.
"The best basic work on fertility and sensible food production we've
seen."
--Necessary Trading Company, New Castle, VA.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
The authors are experienced farmers, farm advisors and writers. Joe
Smillie has worked widely as a consultant in ecological agriculture
since 1976. He is co-author of The Orchard Almanac. Grace Gershuny
edited Organic Farmer: The Digest of Sustainable Agriculture from 1990
to 1994, and recently joined the staff of the USDA's National Organic
Program to implement its accreditation program for organic
certification.
Softcover: 6' X 9" 192 pages. Retail Price $16.95 ISBN 0-932857-16-7
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