No comments about Salad Leaves for All Seasons: Organic Growing from Pot to Plot.

1 comments about Plants for Houston and the Gulf Coast.

1. I really like this book because it is about local plants of the area. The colors are great as are the descriptions of the plants. I have been able to identify plants that I have and did not know the names of. This is the second book we have purchased from this Author.

No comments about Grow Organic.

5 comments about This Organic Life: Confessions of a Suburban Homesteader.

1. I have really enjoyed this book and felt a kindred relationship with the author. I too have gutted a house and had a garden in full swing at the same time. I loved the recipes that went along with her stories of vegetables and fruits and enjoyed the passages about her homes.
   
   This book is a good read if you are not expecting much information about Organic gardening but instead a story of the authors life and how it revolves around her garden.



2. I haven't spent much time looking at the recipes & I'll admit I skipped a few boring(in my eyes) paragraphs here & there.
   However I'm growing my first organic garden this year & the reason is similar to Joan's. I don't want to rely on industry for everything. I would like to be able to provide some of the basics for my family. I found the story of her life very motivating. I also know a little bit about the area she lives in & I think she did a terrific job describing it.
   This book most certainly inspires me to raise the bar in my organic garden and I will buy locally.
   I know some people didn't enjoy her home building sections, but I found them interesting & sometimes funny.



3. It's an okay read, and expresses the passion of gardening and eating local; and the normal successes and failures of food production, which you don't generally get from how-to gardening books. Strongly recommended for anyone with a dream of growing their own food! But as an experienced gardener I didn't really learn anything.
   
   Unlike some reviewers, I think her musing on vegetarianism and killing varmints are a good effort to grapple with a hard topic; and seriously growing food brings you closer to the realities than the vast majority dependent on markets and stores. Personally, since she eats meat sometimes (several recipes call for sausage), it seems a bit defensive.



4. It's been a while since I have read this, but if I remember correctly, she mentions early on that this book is more of a diary or memoir of her life than a "how-to" gardening book. I like her rambling style, she is telling the story of her life, and this is how such stories are told. For those who want a "how-to" book, there are many others. This book gives you more of reason why to garden and eat locally and the reality of doing so.
   
   Also, those that are upset by the fact that she has no problem killing possums that are in her yard miss the big picture. Animals have to die for us to eat. Even if you are a vegetarian, farmers kill animals that might eat our food. Whether they are using chemical pesticides or outright killing the pest, they will die. I love animals. I even like possums and think they are cute. But, they are pests and can destroy a garden. If that garden provided you with everything you ate, would you be willing to share?



5. I was hoping for a lot more organic gardening information. I agree with an earlier reviewer who said this book could have used some good editing to help make the content more concise, especially regarding the building the new house parts. It seems to jump back and forth and repeats much. Gets tedious at times.

5 comments about The Elves of Lily Hill Farm.

1. Having read the book several times, especially specific parts of the book, I must say it is the most informative where organic growing is concerned and inspires a deep need to work towards making the world a better place and restore the land. The book has very fascinating metaphysical content combined with information that is essential for improving all our lives, in general our well being. This is the BEST book I have ever read, and it is my inspiration for my current purpose in life.



2. What if we humans are not the only sentient beings in the universe, and some of those intelligent life forms are right here on Earth at this very moment? Penny Kelly addresses this question and others in her absorbing book, THE ELVES OF LILY HILL FARM. This is the story of how she met and learned to work with and trust the elves and nature spirits on her organic farm in order to succeed in her goal of harvesting 100 tons of grapes in a season -- a truly spectacular yield.
   

   From Penny's first encounters with elves and devas (whom she sketches at the back of her book) to her discussions with vines, weeds, and various marauding animal nuisances -- the reader gains a sense of what it feels like to be in communication with the vast variety of intelligent life around us every day. Is it possible to communicate with the plants and animals around us? Absolutely. Is this communication a one-way street? Hopefully not! Kelly's tale inspired me to pay more attention to the way I interact with the intelligent life all around me -- being a bit more conscious to listen instead of just commanding orders of what I expect to occur.

   I especially loved reading the comments and questions the elves posed for Penny -- including such deceptively simple queries such as, "How is it ye choose among the activities that come before ye?" The insights Penny gained as she found a way towards achieving balance in her life are valuable to us all, whether or not we are raising organic produce.




3. 
   This is another book about communicating with nature spirits. It's less insightful than Summer with the Leprechauns, and focused more on agriculture than general working. Many things about it remind me of the Perelandra books, which I review elsewhere.
   
   These elves speak in vernacular, which is somewhat disconcerting, and they lead the author on an agricultural journey, teaching her how to work with nature spirits to increase plant health and productivity. In many ways this book is much like the Findhorn work as well, but less spontaneous and fresh. The focus is more on ecology and biodiversity, and in reading it I had the sense the elves were just tossed in to make the book more readable. While I didn't object to anything they "said," they sounded very human to me.
   
   If you're really into gardening and sustainable agriculture and want to hear what "elves" say about it, get this book. Otherwise, there are others that are more highly recommended.



4. This book is wonderful because of the interaction Mrs. Kelly has with the resident Elves she encounters on her farmland. It is very inreresting to learn how these beings along with a several others she encounters while trying to grow her crop think, feel and see as opposed to the average American. There is a lot to be learned from these creatures residing on the Etheric plane as the live with out greed and only have complete love for the Earth. The reason I gave it 4 stars is because it is a little too wordy in areas that don't even relate to the Elves. Some chapters might have been done without along with there being total emphasis on the Elemental creatures instead of
   Mrs. Kelly's day to day struggles. If you are interested in this please read "A Summer with the Leprechauns" by Tanis Helliwell which is my favorite elemental book so far; this book is so good I wanted to savor each page - it is very to the point and explains elementals in honest and most interesting detail. You'll especially adore it if you are Irish.



5. THIS BOOK SHOWS HOW TO WORK WITH NATURE. NOT FIGHT IT. TAKE THE TIME TO BE ONE WITH LIFE

5 comments about Grow Organic: Over 250 Tips and Ideas for Growing Flowers, Veggies, Lawns and More.

1. My wife and I listen to Doug and Jessica's program on Sirius and, when we heard about their book, we knew it would be a good resource to have on hand. I enjoyed the conversational tone of the book-- it's kind of like listening to them on the air and makes it easy to absorb the knowledge they present.
   
   While we have gardened organically for years, we've learned that it is both a science and an art. Like any art, there is much to be learned from those with with experience-- those who have made the mistakes you want to avoid. This is the first book I've read where the authors actually admit they've made mistakes and they don't make you feel guilty about having made any of your own.
   
   The chapter with the step-by-step guide to organic pest control is great. Nothing makes you want to reach for the quick fix in a can like seeing your hard work invaded, but the steps given here (and the gentle reminders to be patient in letting nature achieve her balance) help maintain a little sanity while reminding you that an intelligent, methodical approach can help you keep the upper hand.
   
   The other important point to make about any reference is that the index is effective.
   
   I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to start getting the chemicals out of their gardens but don't know where begin. For those who have been doing this for a while but can still benefit from good advice, the writing style is light and terse making it easy to skim over the bits you already know.



2. In the past, we have used all of the typical lawn and garden chemicals. We want to go organic to be safe with animals and the environment. This book is the answer. We also love the radio show on Sunday mornings. Jessica and Doug are very informative and friendly to the callers.



3. I'm not a gardener, but a homeowner who was very impressed with Doug's appearance on a local Pittsburgh newsmagazine (OnQ). I got the book, and immediately liked it, particularly the section on composting and organic lawn care (which I cared most about).
   
   The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is because it seemed like just a collection of tips and tricks, without out enough structured how-tos. Maybe I just need it spelled out, or maybe I'm not hard-core enough of a gardener, but I can't give it the oh-my-god-this-is-the-best review. Though I still recommend it to anyone interested in gardening.



4. If you have comtemplated changing your gardening protocol to a more earth friendly method, but have always thought it too confusing, than this is the book for you. Doug and Jess have taken an often confusing subject and simplified it for the beginner as well as the experienced gardener. It is packed full of practical and easy to follow procedures that will allow you to garden in a safer way. Their personal tips and experiences make you feel like they are right there with you each step of the way. They have provided lots of valuable information about soil, lawns, veggies, pests and beneficial insects. And what I like best, is that they give you their own tried and true resources to help you find many of the products that they have discussed in the book and use in their own gardens.
   
   I have been using organic garden practices for years, but I found this book to be extremely refreshing and a good one to grab for a quick reference. I can say that it is one that I have been reaching for when I want to confirm something or look up information concernng a new problem that I might be experiencing.
   
   As a master gardener, I can say that this book is not one that will sit on my shelf and collect dust, but will be one that I use for seasons to come. Thanks Doug and Jess for sharing your experiences and helping us realize that going organic does not mean sacrificing our beautiful and bountiful gardens.



5. I love this book because it makes organic gardening seem so normal and accessible. Which, in fact, it is, but you'd never know that from some of the references out there. Do you chop up your orange peel before you put it in the compost? Me neither. This is the book for us.

3 comments about Sacred Land: Intuitive Gardening for Personal, Political and Environmental Change.

1. This book was a super informative and enjoyable read. Clea is not only an expert organic gardner, but shares that wealth of knowledge in an articulate and meaningful way. The metaphysical connection she makes to this activity is brilliant and I'll just say that you don't have to subscribe to any particular philosophy to relate to it. I will continue to use Sacred Land as a reference tool in my organic gardening arsenal of information. Recommended.



2. Being an author myself, I love writers. I love artists in general, but when a writer pours their heart and soul into a book, I'm humbled. Clea Danaan has done just that in her astoundingly rich book, Sacred Land.
   
   As I am going through a profoundly painful, personal loss at this time, the melancholy I felt when I looked at my beloved garden drove me back into the house day after day. I would see that which I had planted so lovingly months earlier blooming, and the joy of the flowers was too much for me. They reminded me of a time when I couldn't wait for them to appear, a time when I was happy. And now, here they were happy and abundant, and I simply didn't feel that way. I couldn't enjoy anything through my sadness.
   
   Clea suggests in her book that when we go to sleep at night, to ask the devas for a dream. I did just that.
   
   The next morning, I stepped out onto my deck and looked out at my garden, blocked by my massively tall weeping willows. I couldn't see much and felt disappointed that these trees were in my way. But something happened. I stepped onto my drying lawn, pulled a chair under one of the willows, and sat in the shade with my coffee and wept.
   
   I cried about my divorce and all the time I spent laboring in my garden, hopeful about the coming months. I felt so deeply sad that I almost did hear them speaking to me. It was a soft buzz at first, and then it grew louder.
   
   I sat up and wiped my eyes. I heard them; bees. They were everywhere around me, in the trees and in the [...] willows. They were so loud I almost forgot that we were in a bee crisis. The world was having a bee shortage. And in that moment, the bees were all in my yard. I laughed.
   
   And then it dawned on me, there is never a lack, the bees are somewhere, aren't they? Don't we all go where we are noticed or appreciated? I sat with the bees for a long time that day. And I have slowly begun to care for my garden again.
   
   I brought Sacred Land out to my garden and read it. Toward the end of the book, one question popped out at me: "What change do you wish to see that you might bring to the world through your garden?".
   
   And perhaps that is best answered here. We can all bring the bees back by inviting them into our world, can't we? I once said to a client when she asked where I was going to get the money to fund my newest project--"from wherever it is now," I told her.
   
   Sacred Land takes you through a personal journey. And while Clea outlines organic gardening and gives tips, be prepared to find a personal awakening between the covers of this book. This is more than a random book on gardening, it is a journey. And I thank her for my simple awareness and the profound reminder of the power of a garden. Her focus on Organic gardening is a deeply rooted passion for her and is evident with her generous links and suggestions throughout the text, gently guiding us to care for the earth. She also reminds us that a garden is something we leave behind for future generations.
   
   A wonderful read, and a powerful moon journey. Sacred Land by Clea Dannaan is a magical and intuitive catalyst for change.



3. I'm generally not a fan of gardening books, but this was an enjoyable and informative read. Most surprisingly, it's changed my approach to gardening. I hadn't considered my relationship with nature beyond trying to garden organically and not waste natural resources. Having read Danaan's book, I'm seeing my relationship with the land as more than simply scientific, and it has enriched gardening for me.

1 comments about The Organic Manual,: Natural Organic Gardening and Living for Your Family, Plants, and Pets.

1. Howard Garret is a great resource for turning your outside workd into an organic space instead of a chemical based environment. This book is a good introduction...not as detailed as his other books.

5 comments about Plants of the Metroplex.

1. A must book for residents of the Dallas area. Has a good outline style with the high points on plants for Dallas. For a very detailed look this reference may come up short.



2. I bought this along with Neil Sperry's Texas Gardenining. This is a simple book with excellent pictures for planting in the DFW area. I wouldn't recommend this book as guide/reference, but it is a very nice accessory for deciding what to plant.



3. Impressive! This is the most comprehensive and informative plant guides for this part of Texas and anywhere else with a similar climate. The categories include: "Trees", "Shrubs", "Flowers", and "Groundcovers, Vines and Grasses". Many photos! The category "Trees" alone has over 150 photos! Soils vary quite a bit here, so this includes a lot of plants! It even names the plants and trees you DO NOT want to plant and gives the reasons why. The book illustrates the proper way to plant and has fantastic recommendations on how to manage various problems with pests, "weeds", etc. Highly recommended!



4. A great book in an easy to read format, good for quick reference and deeper study. Great pictures and info on locating local specimens to see how the plants look in a real setting.



5. This is a wonderful gardening guide for the DFW area. I highly recommend it. The ideas are aplenty and next to none should fail you. I love it.

5 comments about Jerry Baker's Great Green Book of Garden Secrets.

1. If you want to have the best "buds" on the block , I "highly" recommend this gem of a book.

   Jerry baker is a master of garden secrets. And these are secrets that you will not find anywhere else.

   5 stars.




2. This is a wonderful and practical book. I tried two of the receipes in the book and had instant improvement in the appearance of my indoor and outdoor plants. I will be getting several copies for my gardening friends and family.



3. I bought this book through the mail and I wont tell you how much I spent on it. It really does have some interesting facts. A lot of repetitive ideas that can be confusing some times. Some of the tonics and things that I tried made my garden worse. In fact, it burnt some of my plants to the ground! Some of his recipes are confusing. Such as: he recommeds everything in this 20 gallon hose end sprayer. I went to many garden centers and everyone laughed at me. Nobody carries anything that large. that is for a garden the size of Texas! Who are these people that the tonics worked for? Come to my house and help me, then.



4. This answers everything from selecting a plant to pests and problems.



5. I liked it a lot. Lots of good, down to earth information and easy to find solutions.