Soil Science for Beginners: The Vegetable Gardener’s Guide to Soil Health – 9 Steps to Stellar Soil for Traditional, No-Till, Raised Bed and Container Gardens
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Soil Science for Beginners: The Vegetable Gardener’s Guide to Soil Health – 9 Steps to Stellar Soil for Traditional, No-Till, Raised Bed and Container Gardens

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Product ID: 591242182
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Soil Science for Beginners: The Vegetable Gardener’s Guide to Soil Health – 9 Steps to Stellar Soil for Traditional, No-Till, Raised Bed and Container Gardens

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4.7

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A**L

An in-depth primer for those who wish to become more serious about their garden

“Soil Science” by Richard Bray is an in-depth primer on soil fertility and the different methods of diagnosing and improving your soil, whether that be via laboratory tests or “old timer” methods, and the products you can use (both commercial and organic) to bring your garden soil back into whack. While soil biochemistry is complex, Bray teaches the topic in a colloquial manner, with simple, down-to-earth language that an average gardener can understand without a Ph.D. The topics are helped along by a generous number of illustrations, charts, and other media to help you visualize what might otherwise be a dry topic, but at no point does the author “talk down” to the reader.Bray then explains different ways to improve your soil, both organic and commercial products, as well as ways to improve the lesser-known micronutrients, nurture helpful bio-organisms and insects, and deal with plant diseases and pests. He also discusses the costs vs. benefits of conventional vs. organic methods, without becoming preachy about either method so you can make your own decisions based on your personal preferences, time constraints and budget.It's like your grandpa took you out into your back yard, pointed out your poor, sad tomatoes and slug-eaten cabbages, and then showed you how to fix the problem over a cup of sweet tea. I would say this book is geared for an advanced-beginner to intermediate gardener, especially growers who have successfully experimented with a small garden or container-planting, but begun the experience the frustrations of some plants not doing that well or a crop-loss due to insects. However, if you're a total "noob" but enjoyed middle school biology, this book is easy to understand and put into use.I recommend this book be added to your gardening "how to" library and be referred to every spring (before you plant) and autumn (when you put your garden to sleep).

P**E

Incredible book!

This book is excellent. I was researching how to build up the health of our soil and this was such a help to me! It easily explains soil science in depth, without using terms that are confusing and concepts that are hard to understand. I am used to looking up every other word when I read about the science behind things, but this book was not like that at all. I found myself not wanting to put it down!It gives good examples of exactly what to do to diagnose the problems in your soil and ways to fix the problems.By the end of the book I felt I had an excellent basic knowledge of where to begin and what to do. I highly recommend this book! I know I will read it again!

C**N

Good book

This book is very easy to read and gives a lot of information but it's a slow read because it's about soil. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a deep understanding of soil. I would also recommend reading articles by experienced farmers in your area or people who are homesteading and find out what works for them

M**C

Good, but short on science

Good book with a lot of useful info on improving soil.However, it is kind of light on the science given that's that title.

B**R

What Every Gardener Wants!

What a Fantastic book by Richard Bray! I am a Midwest gardener with compact clay soil to deal with. How I wish I had this book when I moved here! The book is organized and covers issues I have had to deal with constantly.There are several illustrations that were very helpful, especially the Soil Food Web, 4Year Crop Rotation, and Growing Companions charts. Discussions on Mulch Magic, Native Plants, and Companion planting to deter beetles gave us new ideas to use in our garden.This book was full of new ideas for us to try, like lasagna mulching, and bee friendly soil improvements and fertilizers to try, so our hives remain protected.We will reread this book over and over, and have already made a list of new soil strategies to try! Thank you for this wonderful book!

S**R

All My Questions Answered - Great Guide and Must Have

Every time I tried planting something it dies. I always wanted to try farming/gardening but nothing ever grows. I finally just shrugged it off by saying "I don't have a green thumb".A few years ago, I came across hydroponics and tried it out. I was amazed that my plants (varieties of lettuce and tomatoes) all grew very well. Later I also tried aquaponics and it did very well too. However, being a businessman, I thought to myself - Hydro and aquaponics are both great ways to grow food/plants either as a hobby or a business BUT for certain crops (for either human or livestock consumption), these methods are simply not feasible and it's best grown on SOIL.Here's where the difference comes in... It's not that I don't have a green thumb, it's simply that I lacked knowledge. I didn't know the DIFFERENCE between SOIL and DIRT. Of course for soil to give life to plants that gives life (food) to us and animals, the SOIL MUST BE ALIVE.All my questions have been answered in this book alone! In a very clear, to the point, complete yet easy to read manner, the Author, Richard Bray delivers everything you need to know about soil. Now it has become so clear to me where I was going wrong in the past. This book has shed light on everything I was confused about. Having now some experience with hydroponics and NOW also knowing about SOIL and its own LIFE, I am super eager to get my hands dirty again. Kudos and thanks for the guide Richard Bray.

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