First published in 1993 and released into the public domain by the author. According to the Introduction: "What follows is not mere theory, not something I read about or saw others do. These techniques are tested and workable. The next-to-last chapter of this book contains a complete plan of my 1992 garden with explanations and discussion of the reasoning behind it. In Water-Wise Vegetables I assume that my readers already are growing food (probably on raised beds), already know how to adj...

"It is bold, it is courageous, and it challenges many of our preconceptions about food, about soils, about farming, and about health." —Michael Ableman, farmer, author of Farm the CityTo grow produce of the highest nutritional quality, the essential minerals lacking in our soil from intensive agriculture must be replaced. The Intelligent Gardener is the practical, step-by-step guide for any serious gardener who wants to:· Demystify this pr...

"Organic Gardener's Composting" by Steve Solomon is a comprehensive guide that delves into the art and science of composting for organic gardening. Solomon shares his extensive knowledge on how to create rich, fertile compost that enhances soil health and promotes sustainable gardening practices. The book covers various composting methods, the importance of different materials, and how to manage the composting process effectively. With practical tips and insights, it serves as an essential...

"Gardening Without Irrigation" by Steve Solomon is a practical guide that emphasizes sustainable gardening practices in arid climates. Solomon shares his extensive knowledge on how to cultivate a thriving garden with minimal water usage. He explores various techniques such as soil management, plant selection, and the importance of mulching to retain moisture. The book is filled with personal anecdotes and insights that make it accessible for both novice and experienced gardeners looking to...

The ultimate bible for organic vegetable gardening in the Pacific Northwest, featuring extensive updates and new material on soil health, natural pest control, and moreNow in its seventh edition, this complete guide to organic vegetable, herb, and flower gardening addresses issues of soil, seeds, compost, and watering. Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades has evolved from a self-published pamphlet into the master guide to organic gardening over the past...

From the author After publishing my first book in 2012, “A Rainbow Of Emotions” (ROE for short), I decided to continue writing. However, in the course of a few short years, there were a plethora of significant changes in my life that had drastic effects on my way of thinking. The most significant change of them all is that I had gone from being a believer, to a disciple of Christ. Obviously this has had a tremendous impact on my writing. This book reflects this transition as the poems have...

"...Unfortunately everything that I wrote before high school was lost with time. But I did manage to save a fair collection of pieces from high school and college days. Aside from my poems book from high school, it wasnt till 2010(and thanks to Facebook) that I actually started taking my poems off the scraps of paper I scribbled them on and put them where I can save them. Then one day I noticed I had a significant number of poems and got the idea to make a book. I selected the ones I wante...

Beyond organic—a practical guide to nutrient-dense foodVegetables, fruits, and grains are a major source of vital nutrients, but centuries of intensive agriculture have depleted our soils to historic lows. As a result, the broccoli you consume today may have less than half the vitamins and minerals that the equivalent serving would have contained a hundred years ago. This is a matter of serious concern, since poor nutrition has been linked to myriad health problems...

“Accomplishes what few other books have—helping growers use mycorrhizae to improve the immune systems of plants. This natural union between plants and fungi is the foundation of our food web.” —Paul Stamets, author of Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the WorldTeaming with Fungi is an important guide to mycorrhizae and the role they play in agriculture, horticulture, and hydroponics. Almost every plant in a garden forms a relationship ...

“Gets deep into the weeds, so to speak, of the microscopic architecture of plants and the biochemical processes at play.” —Washington PostMost gardeners realize that plants need to be fed, but many of us know little about the nature of the science involved. In Teaming with Nutrients, Jeff Lowenfels explains the basics of plant nutrition from an organic gardener’s perspective. In his trademark down-to-earth, style, Lowenfels explains the role of bo...

A must-read handbook for organic gardeners and small-scale growers.Thanks to research conducted over the last few decades, we know that most plants get a significant portion of their nutrients by attracting endophytic bacteria—bacteria that live inside a plant’s cells. Through a complex process, plant cells harvest the nitrogen and other nutrients in a bacterium’s cell wall and expel the bacterium’s protoplasts back into the soil where they rebuild their cell walls...

Bio-activated charcoal — called biochar — is the new darling of organic gardeners, embraced for its outstanding abilities to enrich the soil and improve plant growth. Gardening with Biochar is the first comprehensive guide to understanding, making, and using it effectively in the home garden.In this highly accessible handbook, long-time garden writer Jeff Cox explains what biochar is and provides detailed instructions for how it can be made from wood or other kinds of plan...