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Soil is the basis not only for all gardening, but for all
terrestrial life. No aspect of agriculture is more fundamental and
important, yet we have been losing vast quantities of our finite
soil resources to erosion, pollution, and development. Now back in
print, this eminently sensible and wonderfully well-focused book
provides essential information about one of the most significant
challenges for those attempting to grow delicious organic
vegetables: the creation and maintenance of healthy soil. Chapter
2, "Understanding the Soil System," is alone worth the price of
admission. Gershuny and Smillie give lay readers and experts a
clear explanation of subjects--soil life and nutrient cycles--that
have confounded most authors. Nowhere will the reader find simpler
and more coherent descriptions of key concepts including cation
exchange capacity and chelation. There are other books about soil
available, including Grace Gershuny's comprehensive Start with the
Soil, and there are books that feature chapters on soil building.
What distinguishes The Soil of Soilis the authors' concise
presentation; they give readers important information, including
technical essentials, without getting bogged down in scientific or
quasiscientific mumbo-jumbo. In addition, useful tables list
specific compost materials, green manures, and other resources that
allow growers to translate into action the more general information
provided by the book. The soil-building techniques featured
include: Organic matter management Building and maintaining humus
On-site composting Green manures and rotations Cultivation and weed
control Nutrient balances and soil testing Using mineral
fertilizers Planning for organic certification Updates to the 1999
edition include analysis of Proposed Rules for the National Organic
Standards, and expanded recommendations for private testing
services and soil-testing equipment for home gardeners and organic
farmers. All of us involved in the cultivation of plants--from the
backyard gardener to the largest farmer--need to help regenerate a
"living soil," for only in the diversity of the soil and its
creatures can we ensure the long-term health of ourselves and our
environment. The Soul of Soil offers everyone a basic understanding
of what soil is and what we can do to improve our own patch of it.
Seen in this light, this practical handbook will be an inspiration
as well.
Even though this book was written over 25 years ago, composting is
experiencing a renaissance - and this revised edition includes all
the latest in new techniques, technology, equipment. Gardeners know
it's the best way to feed the soil and turn food scraps into fresh
produce, but even urbanites can get on board thanks to programs
like compost pickup and citywide food waste initiatives. There's no
better way to reduce landfill waste (and subsequent emissions) and
dependence on fossil fuels while nourishing the earth. The Rodale
Book of Composting offers easy-to-follow instructions for making
and using compost, helpful tips for apartment dwellers to
suburbanites, farmers and community leaders, and ecologically sound
solutions to growing waste-disposal problems.
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