Organic gardener and editor Cecil Bothwell explores issues of permanence and change in the back yard and around the globe in this collection of essays. No aspect of the home garden is too small nor global calamity too large to escape his gaze and thoughtful humor. Readers will find practical advice on planting and pruning, composting and mulching, raised beds and hydroponics, leavened with forty years of experience through drought and deluge, blight and slugs. Yuck.

Smaller available spaces for gardens, a national movement to forego the use of synthetic chemicals in the environment and a desire to utilize low maintenance and native plants are all addressed in "A Year in a Rock Garden - An Organic Gardening Guide." According to Organic Gardening.com, Sales of organic products are estimated to have topped $25 billion in 2008. Specific gardens are featured each month, along with Kushner's own garden, photographs, specific garden chores, directions and organic practices for an entire year. Throughout the book readers will: * Understand specific gardening direction as to what must be accomplished each month. * Have guidelines for gardening organically without the use of synthetic chemical products. * Be given input on specific plants, their needs, bloom time, flower color and an appendix of close to 300 appropriate plants and their cultural needs. * Learn which plants are to be avoided. * Have a comprehensive list of sources for seeds, plants, gardening tools and supplies. * Be advised of the up-to-date explanation of what the term "organic" actually means in the United States today. * Be introduced to a different rock garden setting every month

Follow a young boy named Casey as he learns about composting and what it can do to provide nutrition to plants and keep garbage out of landfills. Supportive adults in his life recognize his passion and help him to make composting a city-wide policy.

New to gardening, or just to gardening organically? In this useful and easy-to-read book Fi clearly outlines the things you need to consider when gardening organically, and how to get started to give your garden the best chance of success. From compost to bugs, soils to sprays, this is a must-have book you'll refer to over and over again.

Professor Franklin Hiram King made important contributions in soil science -- soil physics and soil fertility in particular. This book, perhaps the first on sustainable organic agriculture, is of great interest today, when we are able to assess the truth of what King stated a hundred years ago. This edition is complete and unabridged.

Garden expert and lovable eccentric Ruth Stout once said: "At the age of 87 I grow vegetables for two people the year-round, doing all the work myself and freezing the surplus. I tend several flower beds, write a column every week, answer an awful lot of mail, do the housework and cooking; and never do any of these things after 11 o'clock in the morning " Her first book about her no-work gardening system, "How to Have a Green Thumb Without an Aching Back," was the kind of book people can't bear to return. She reports, "A dentist in Pennsylvania and a doctor in Oregon have both written me that they keep a copy of my garden book in their waiting rooms. Or try to; the dentist has had twenty-three copies stolen, the doctor, sixteen." "Gardening Without Work" is her second gardening book and is even more entertaining and instructional than the first, so hide it from your friends How does it work? "And now let's get down to business. The labor-saving part of my system is that I never plow, spade, sow a cover crop, harrow, hoe, cultivate, weed, water or irrigate, or spray. I use just one fertilizer (cottonseed or soybean meal), and I don't go through the tortuous business of building a compost pile. Just yesterday, under the Questions and Answers' in a big reputable farm paper, someone asked how to make a compost pile and the editor explained the arduous performance. After I read this I lay there on the couch and suffered because the victim's address wasn't given; there was no way I could reach him. "My way is simply to keep a thick mulch of any vegetable matter that rots on both my vegetable and flower garden all year round. As it decays and enriches the soil, I add more." Regardless of topic, Ruth Stout's writing is always about living a joyous and independent life, and "Gardening Without Work" is no exception This book is a treasure for the gardener and a delight even to the non-gardener. First published in 1961, this Norton Creek Press version is an exact reproduction of the original edition. Ruth Stout, who, in her teens helped temperance activist Carrie Nation smash saloon windows, could turn any aspect of life into an adventure. She may have been the only woman who both gardened in the nude and wrote a book on being a hostess ("Company Coming: Six Decades of Hospitality"). She died in 1980 at the age of 96.

One of the earliest scientific works on all aspects of compost and manure. Still of value today, especially to those interested in organic agriculture. Howard is the author of the very ground breaking "An Agricultural Testament."

A Farmer's Love is the story of the author's spiritual journey and how his relationship to the Earth evolved from an experience of basic utility to an experience of abiding love.Farmers seldom bare their souls in books, but Walter Moora struggled and wrestled the words in this book from his heart. He offers more than specific descriptions of farming; he tells his life story as a biodynamic farmer and how he learned the lessons of creating healthy ecosystems on the farm through biodynamic preparations and by planting according to the stars.The author learned early in his farming career that working with Nature is infinitely more satisfying and ultimately far more successful than working against Nature with chemicals. His experience of farming biodynamically on four continents taught him to listen to what the land itself asks for. A Farmer's Love explains how nutrition in the food we eat comes directly from nutrition in the soil in which the plans grow. The book also explains ways the author learned to work with the soil to make it nutrient-rich without the use of synthetic chemicals. It chronicles Walter's experience of learning both the physical and spiritual aspects of creating a whole, healthy farm ecosystem.Through his life experiences, the author learned to trust his intuition, to take risks around his values, to find his soul's destiny, and to deal with death and loss by trusting that the very best things can come directly from the very worst things. This story is for those who want to enrich their spiritual connection with the Earth and for budding farmers everywhere who are interested in caring for the Earth in a new way.

Sir Albert Howard presents a summary of his life's work in this book. Howard states "This law is true for soil, plant, animal, and man: the health of these four is one connected chain. Any weakness or defect in the health of any earlier link in the chain is carried on to the next and succeeding links, until it reaches the last, namely, man." Howard's work, decades ahead of its time, provides an insight into how he realized the value of organic methods though he went to India intending to teach the use of chemical fertilizers and chemical pest control. This text has been published under the title "The Soil and Health" and also under the title "Farming and Gardening for Health or Disease."

A fun and colorful "how to" story picture book that teaches children about the good of composting. Children love to get work in the garden and help in the kitchen. Composting is fun, easy and a great way for kids to help our environment. This books is also a great way for parents to get started on composting. Composting reduces waste, recycles, and creates a natural fertilizer for your garden. Everyone benefits from composting, its a fun activity for the family, and builds a strong and beautiful garden.

Native Americans believe that Tobacco is one of the most sacred gifts of the Great Spirit to his People, along with corn, beans and squash. I also believe that tobacco is a great gift of the great spirit of the natural world, and I want people who enjoy tobacco to be able to liberate themselves from the thrall of the multinational so-called "Tobacco companies," whose products really have nothing to do with the sacred herb and are nothing more than industrialized poison. Now I'm sharing my years of experience raising natural Tobacco in what I hope is a useful, interesting and thoughtful book - The Cultivators Handbook of Natural Tobacco. As I hope you'll come to see, the ultimate aim of this book is to make it possible for smokers to no longer be enslaved to criminal corporations for their personal supply of pure, natural tobaccos. In addition to sharing my own growing experience, I've reached far into the past to find tobacco growing books written by masters of the subject, from Cuba to the Philippines, from America to Brazil. In an all-new Section Two I've gathered together the best advice from these old-time masters regarding every aspect of Tobacco cultivation, from which varieties grow best in which soils and environments, to the carefully guarded secrets of curing and flavoring the primo leaves of this unusual plant. Also, I'll give you an internet address where you can download all of these original, invaluable tobacco resources for free in PDF format for easy reading on your computer or any reading device.

Ever since Rachel Carson's Silent Spring was published a half century ago, environmentalists have warned of the many perils of chemicalized farming practices. The need for global stewardship has never seemed more pressing. This book highlights the ways our health is inextricably linked to modern methods of food production as well as lawn and garden care. The widespread use of toxic petrochemicals on rural and suburban landscapes has contributed to ever-increasing rates of degenerative disease. Beyond describing the threats posed by these ubiquitous chemicals, the book explains in clear and cogent terms how to turn this situation around. To save the planet and ourselves, we need to change the way we relate to the natural world, begining with our own backyards and gardens.This book provides a practical prescription for reclaiming our health and stabilizing our global climate system through innovative, earth-friendly strategies -- and offers hope for future generations.

A lively and practical guide to organic gardening from a renowned garden expert.
Annie Spiegelman's down-to-earth wit and wisdom create the perfect primer for anyone with a passion for home-grown veggies or fresh-cut flowers, no matter what their skill level, location, or resources. Includes advice on:
-Learning to worship the worm and build a compost pile
-Landscape designs-start small in order to create a basic plan for a plot
-The secret to healthy soil (the only way to have a healthy garden)
-Irrigation systems and strategies to conserve water
-Proper pruning-from roses to trees
-How to combine vegetables to make them thrive
-How to let your garden go native and become drought tolerant
-Edible landscaping and gardening in small spaces
"Talking Dirt" is a one-stop handbook that features resources for shopping, learning, and promoting environmentally sound garden practices within local communities.

All the things consumers can do with Diatomaceous Earth: Over 101 easy ways to go green with this amazing food grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) that originates from ancient fossilized algae provided by Mother Nature. * Safer natural insecticide for homes, gardens, animals, birds, barns, farms, kennels, grains, crops, schools, parks, etc. * Learn what DE is, where it comes from, & how to use it. * Learn tools, application methods & recipes for applying DE. * Learn how to read labels correctly to choose the right kind of DE. * Learn how to identify and distinguish from unsuitable industrial filtering grades. * Learn about health risks linked to toxic chemical pesticides. * Discover eco-stories & anecdotal comments from all kinds of successful users of DE. * Find healthier & more contented birds & animals: DE rids fleas, ticks, lice & parasites. * Use DE as an animal feed additive for improved nutrition & health. * Use DE in animal feed as an anti-caking agent for anti-clumping, easy flow & mixing. * Use DE as a deodorizer on manure for drier mangers, barns, & stables for less flies. * Use DE as a soil amender for clay soils for more porosity & supply 14 trace minerals. * Use DE for protecting & storing grains & seeds. * Use DE to clean up oil spills. * Use DE to clean & polish tarnished silver & copper. * Use DE to dry leaves & flowers for arrangements. * Use DE as a non-scratching soft scrub. * Use DE to remove light scratches from vehicles. * Use DE as a deodorizer in shoes, kitty litter, refrigerator, vacuum bags & garbage cans, etc.

The basic elements of any garden are always the same: seeds, soil, sun, and water. It is in the search for that perfect combination that leads the gardener into the broader aspects of each element. The transitions made during the growing season tell many stories about not only seed, soil, sun, and water, but also about one's self. Each season brings its own discoveries, whether using new methods to overcome old problems, celebrating an innovative success, or dealing with the failures and setbacks that befall any gardener. "Growing With The Seasons" gives many tools and plans for the garden, but lets the reader assemble them as they want and need, traveling the roads of personal discovery, reaching a fruition that is productive, satisfying, and universal. This book is also the evolving story of the authors' endeavors to provide ideas, concepts, and encouragements for the practical application of a personal and joined effort of beneficial direction to make the world a better place bringing about a planned harmony within ourselves and the people around us. Those who have attended the Giannangelos' workshops, bought produce at the Ramah Farmers Market in New Mexico, and met with the authors at community gatherings inspired "Growing With The Seasons." Frank and Vicky Giannangelo both lived in Denver, Colorado, when they were children. Vicky's family moved to Washington State where she went to high school and graduated from the University of Washington with a double major degree in philosophy and economics. Frank's family moved to Prescott, Arizona where he went to high school, and upon returning from Viet Nam, graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in literature. They met on San Juan Island, Washington, and were married in 1986 where they first began creating organic gardens. In 1993, they moved to Sedona, Arizona and spent three years creating formal gardens for a local community. They moved to New Mexico in 1997 and began gardening and helped start the Ramah Farmer's Market. Vicky created and is the webmaster of their website, www.avant-gardening.com. Frank teaches at a small school on the Ramah Navajo Reservation. They give spring workshops on organic gardening, basic rockwork, labyrinths, and strawbale wall construction, and established the annual Ramah Area Garden Tour.

Originally published in the 1930s. This comprehensive book will provide under one head and at a glance all that vast amount of essential information required by the ever increasing numbers of enthusiasts who wish to derive pleasure or profit by living off the land. The illustrated contents include advice on: Poultry - Vegetable Culture - Fruit Growing - Flower Culture - Holding and Farm - Pigs - Cattle - Sheep - Land - Rabbit Keeping - Bee Keeping - Organic Methods etc. Many of the earliest farming books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Fruit production is one of the most challenging areas of organic growing, and those wanting to grow fruit organically have often found it difficult to obtain the necessary technical information. Essential reading for serious gardeners, smallholders, small-scale organic growers and farmers wishing to diversify their crop range, this book covers the organic cultivation of all of the most popular pome and stone fruits, strawberries, cane and bush fruits. For each fruit crop, advice and information is given on the latest suitable varieties and rootstocks, growing systems, pruning and training, crop care, harvesting, storage, pest and disease management. Individual chapters cover organic principles and conversion, soil fertility, crop nutrition, weed and habitat management, and protected production. Also the market for organic fruit, retail opportunities and other important outlets is analysed. A chapter by Roy Cook is provided on the important subject of viticulture.

Originally published in 1881, this is a'Practical treatise on the cultivation of the most profitable outdoor crop known'. Wonderfully detailed, it presents a complete system for the growing, cutivating and harvesting of all types of mushrooms.

Originally published in 1936, this book is a detailed guide to the cultivation of the mushroom. Full of detailed information and instruction on growing and harvesting, this book is still of great practical use to today's grower. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. Contents Include: Introduction - The Nature of the Mushroom - Site and Soil - Buildings - Manures - Spawns - Making up Beds - Care of Beds - Diseases and Pests and Their Control - Picking and Packing - Exhibiting - Some Companion Crops - Marketing and Costings - Cooking Recipes