3 comments about The Green Gardener's Guide: Simple, Significant Actions to Protect & Preserve Our Planet.

1. This book covers all aspects of green gardening. Joe Lamp'l explains why eco-friendly gardening is crucial in making a difference for the environment and that your actions count. For example, Lamp'l discusses how our water drinking supply gets contaminated with the use of pesticides in the garden.
   
   He details ways in which to conserve water in the garden.
   
   The book will teach you how to compost and make "liquid gold" to fertilize your plants naturally. Composting is not only fun to do (it's cool to watch coffee grinds and vegetable scraps mixed with leaves turn into dirt), it's good for the environment and for the health of your plants.
   
   The book instructs how to use trees and shrubs to naturally minimize the use of heat or air conditioning in the home.
   
   My favorite section was gardening to protect the ecosystem, as Lamp'l describes ways in which to increase the beneficial wildlife and safely minimize pests. For example, he encourages the home owner to leave standing dead trees, as they are a host to a variety of wildlife.
   
   Remember bug zappers? My family had them and I hated them--the constant snapping of insects. Turns out, bug zappers kill mostly useful insects!
   
   The book is just loaded with useful information and I highly recommend it.
   
   Author of the award winning book, Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet



2. I found this book at my local library on the "New Books" shelf. I'm ordering for my son, who has a degree in Earth Science and is building a new home. If you take one action to benefit yourself and help save the planet, it's worth far more than the low cost of this book. There are many uselful and simple-to-implement ideas. Read it and take actions that can help all of us, and our children's children, live in harmony with our earth. :)



3. Nationally syndicated gardening writer and host of the PBS series "GardenSmart" Joe Lamp'l (a.k.a. Joe Gardener) presents The Green Gardener's Guide: Simple, Significant Actions to Protect & Preserve Our Planet, a straightforward how-to guide that lives up to its title. Written in plain terms for gardeners of all skill and experience levels, The Green Gardener's Guide covers how to reduce water usage (even fixing leaky faucets and collecting roof runoff in rain barrels can make a sizeable difference), minimize the use of chemicals and pesticides, reduce waste through recycling and composting, and much more. Of especial interest is the warning that relying too heavily upon cultivating a single species rather than promoting biodiversity can promote disaster when a parasite that preys upon that one species inevitably appears, as in the great Irish Potato Famine and many other situations. The Green Gardener's Guide is enthusiastically recommended to gardeners everywhere not only for its promotion of social responsibility, but also for its straight-talk and practical advice. "Research conducted by universities, laboratories, and even commercial airports has shown that [Japanese Beetle traps] attract many more beetles than are actually caught. Consequently, susceptible plants along the flight path of the beetles and in the vicinity of traps are likely to suffer much more damage than if no traps are used at all. In most landscape situations, use of Japanese Beetle traps will likely do more harm than good."

1 comments about Native American Gardening: Buffalobird-Woman's Guide to Traditional Methods.

1. This is a unique and irreplaceable book. In the early 20th century, the author interviewed Buffalo Bird, an old Hidasta Indian woman about Indian farming methods in the mid 19th century. The result is a primer on how the Indians grew corn and other crops on the Great Plains. Interspaced with the explanation of agricultural techniques are charming stories, songs, recipes, and ancedotes told by Buffalo Bird. She also describes how the Indians preserved their crop.
   
   The Hidasta lived in North Dakota and this book is a primer on how to garden in the State without recourse to chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or motor powered equipment. The Hidasta grew five crops: corn, beans, squash, sunflower seeds, and tobacco. Their methods of cultivation, storage, and usage of each crop is described, usually with enough detail to be copied by the modern low-impact sustainable agriculturalist. A large number of illustrations and photographs supplement the text and show how the Indians built fences, dug storage pits, dried squash, and laid out their fields.
   
   This book is only about about 150 pages but within its covers is a wealth of practical farming advice and cultural information.
   
   Smallchief

1 comments about Organic Gardening: The Natural No-Dig Way.

1. Charles Dowding's Organic Gardening the Natural No-Dig Way is an introduction to organic gardening in general, and the 'no-dig' method in specific. The 'no-dig' method doesn't mean that absolutely no digging will take place: after all, you need to plant things in the soil and sometimes you also need to dig them up again. However, you really won't need to till or turn. Dowding believes in using raised beds composed almost entirely of rich compost, which worms naturally incorporate into the soil beneath.
   
   Since the no-dig method is meant to be part of a larger program of organic gardening (after all, if you use industrial pesticides and the like then you'll just kill off all those worms, microorganisms, beneficial insects, and so on), much of the book details various fruits and vegetables you might plant and how best to organically raise them. It doesn't go into things such as organic pesticides and fertilizers, but instead delves entirely into physical methods of pest control.
   
   A typical entry covers varieties, growing seasons, weeding, thinning, dressing with compost, harvest, diseases, pests, and even a simple recipe for enjoying your vegetable or fruit to the fullest. There's also a very thorough index---complete with a separate recipe index!---to help you along.
   
   Dowding's book will definitely be of the most use in Britain and similar areas. Some of his suggestions are climate-specific, as are many of his discussions regarding varieties, and of course his planting and harvest times will be different than those elsewhere (although at least you'll get most of that information from your own seed packets or plant catalogs). Measurements and amounts are only given in units of cm and so on with no equivalents provided. Terminology differences aren't explained, and there were some cases where I wasn't sure if a bit of confusion over something the author was communicating was due to something that wasn't clear in his wording or a bit of terminology that was being used in a different manner than that to which I'm accustomed.
   
   All in all I'd have to say that within Britain and similar areas (in terms of climate, use of measurements and terminology, availability of varieties, etc.) this book rates a 4.5 or a 5. In the US it's still highly useful for those wanting to explore the no-dig method and organic gardening at home, but it's moderately less useful---call my rating for us a 4.

1 comments about What Is Biodynamics?: A Way to Heal and revitalize the Earth : Seven Lectures.

1. This is the third Steiner book I have tried to read and I had the same experience as the first two books (Egyptian Myths and Mysteries and The Fourth Dimension). I have come to the conclusion that the information published from Stieners lectures has too much wandering around and not getting to the point to be very useful.
   
   Steiner was definately ahead of his time. He possessed great esoteric and astral vision. But, his problem seems to be that his audiences were very dense and his presentation style is just too sparse for the modern reader.
   
   When he is able to convey information it is based on ideas that he has perceived and is not adequately able to explain. For instance, in this book he goes into the etheric energies which come into a cow through it's horns which help it digest its food with supporting energy release through the hooves. Thus for his biodynamic preparations a cows horn needs to be used to let the core mixture sit within the horn underground for six months. Then you can only use a horn 4-6 times before the energy is used up.
   
   So you are left wondering first, where are you going to get a horn (not from a slaughter house he says)? What exactly about the horn gives it the magic? If it is the shape of the horn then why would it get used up? And he says if you have an airy barn you can store the horn in there because its better. Without some additional explanation, which he never really makes clear, none of this makes any sense.
   
   I think that most of the people I know of in metaphysical circles who can think will no longer accept information from anyone without it having some basis either in a related science or something directly experiential or both. We are moving away from accepting things based alone on faith. Even the sacred writings tell us we have to test what we hear. With most of Steiners writings, or I should say the books transcribed from his lectures, there is no way for you to trace Steiners path and come to the same observations yourself. Clearly in metaphysical traditions such as shamanism self experience, or gnosis, is essential. Without this ability to really get into Steiners words what he says remains woo-woo.

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

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 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.

2 comments about Composting: A Practical Step by Step Guide (Penguin Mini).

1. This book is small, but contains all of the basics for the beginner. It is clear and easy to follow and understand. Just what I needed!



2. This mini-book contains all the information you'll need to start composting. It's well-organized and gives clear do's & don'ts. You won't need another book.

5 comments about 1,001 Old-Time Garden Tips: Timeless Bits of Wisdom on How to Grow Everything Organically, from the Good Old Days When Everyone Did.

1. What a jewel! This book is a well-organized, illustrated collection of OLD gardening tips, including everything from herbs to houseplants to lawns to controlling pests. Paragraph-long entries end with their original publication sources--which are almost as interesting as the advice. The suggestions are timeless. I find I "hear" my grandparents' wisdom about plants on every other page. This book will definitely hit my list of favorite books to give as a gift--but I'll always save a copy for myself.



2. This book is a joy to pick up when you're bored or looking for gardening ideas or help. I especially enjoy the "Strange But True" sections. New and Long time gardeners will enjoy this publication.



3. 1001 Old Time Garden Tips
   I enjoyed this book very much, and find that it is one of those gardening books that I keep going back to for new advice.
   What is interesting about 1001 Old Time Garden Tips is that so much of the advice, the tips, so much is old stuff, good old advice that has often been forgotten. I do landscaping, design work, horticultural consulting, and am a garden writer myself ( Allergy-Free Gardening, and most recently, Safe Sex in the Garden ) and I love to have good, solid, informative, well-written gardening books on hand for quick reference.
   The longer I garden ( and I've been at it for close to 5 decades now ) the more I appreciate an organic approach. 1001 Old Time Garden Tips: Timeless Bits of Wisdom on How to Grow Everything Organically, from the Good Old Days When Everyone Did, sure has the longest title I ever saw! But it is also a mighty good, easy to follow, highly useful book and if you garden, I'm almost certain you'd enjoy owning it. I know I sure like my copy. The editor for this great collection of useful tips and advice, Roger Yepsen, has done a terrific job.



4. This is the best gardening book I've ever read, and I highly recommend it. Matter of fact, I always keep two copies in case I lend it and don't get it back!
   
   The newspaper and magazine clippings are helpful and creative, as well as entertaining and endearing. You'll have plants growing inside and out, and best of all, no chemicals!!!
   
   342 pages, including introduction, illustrations, tip boxes, references, map, merchant list, recommended readings, and index



5. Why am I reviewing this? I ordered it but was told it was not available!

1 comments about Giant Tomatoes.

1. An ideal instruction guide for amateurs and professionals seeking to grow their tomatoes for size and yield, "Giant Tomatoes: Giant Yields, Giant Weights" takes the reader through the step-by-step intricacies of selecting tomato varieties, preparing the soil for planting, fertilizing, watering, pollinating, pruning, and virtually every other aspect of successfully growing tomatoes for maximum yields and maximum size. Profusely illustrated throughout, "Giant Tomatoes" is enhanced with the inclusion of basic tomato recipes, a glossary, a list of suppliers, information on germinating old tomato seeds, a bibliography for further research, and so much more. Simply stated, "Giant Tomatoes" is an indispensable 'how to' reference for anyone wanting to consistently produce tomatoes of qualities that they can be truly proud of.