Product 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."&mdashRobert Rodale

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #112224 in Books
• Published on: 1993-04-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 704 pages

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.

Review

Ingram
This all-new, authoritative edition of the 1978 classic--which sold more than 625,000 copies--provides practical, up-to-date information for every gardener, beginner and veteran alike. Includes hundreds of how-to illustrations and step-by-step techniques, and features an easy-to-use A-to-Z format with more than 420 entries.

Customer Reviews

Great Quick Reference
This is a great overview book. No, it doesn't go into great depth, but it's always my first stop when I'm either curious, troubleshooting or just can't remember when to do what. Lot's of other books offer deeper info on the subject, it's not a handbook on organic technique (I recommend Eliot Coleman for that), but for quick checks and enough info to go squish that bug or leave it be, this helps.

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.