This is truly a one-stop comprehensive guide to organic gardening: it is a big book filled with techniques, definitions, solutions to gardening problems, and a huge listing of organic gardening resources. It's one of the most thorough guides I have seen for organic gardeners--it is well indexed and annotated, and covers all climate zones and growing conditions. If this book doesn't get your motor running about the garden, well, maybe you'll want to try a different hobby. I think it should be a part of any true gardener's library, covered with notes, muddy fingerprints, and with the well-worn pages.
The Organic Gardener's Home Reference is a chart book, plant by plant, in alphabetical order, for vegetables, fruits and nuts, and herbs. The final two sections offer charts for controlling diseases and pests and suggestions for companion plants. Each chart includes growth conditions, from when and how to plant to what to expect from the mature plant. Following this at-a-glance information is harvest advice, storage requirements and growing tips. Pests, diseases, companion plants and incompatible plants are also listed and the opposing page offers selected varieties (not localized enough to be really useful), special notes, and space for the gardener's notes. A useful quick-reference guide with concise, sometimes unusual advice. For example, the tomato entry suggests solarizing the soil during the growing season to control disease.
Organic Gardener's Home Helper
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
I have found this book to be loaded with helpful information. Some basic info, a good reminder for us all, through detailed info to help with specific problems is wonderful. The best thing is, if the book gives you options to fix a problem, it tells you why it works and whether the method is a certain or uncertain fix. It covers everything from planting by variety to pests vs beneficial insects, fungus, soil, and a large index/appendices to lead you elsewhere if needed. It covers companions/ally planting quite well. The only thing I have noted which appears not to be covered is crop rotation. I've used this for about 5 years now and wouldn't be without if for my Organic garden! Great Organic Reference book.
ThriftBooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. We personally assess every book's quality and offer rare, out-of-print treasures. We deliver the joy of reading in recyclable packaging with free standard shipping on US orders over $15. ThriftBooks.com. Read more. Spend less.