Build healthy soil and grow better plantsRobert Pavlis, a gardener for over four decades, debunks common soil myths, explores the rhizosphere, and provides a personalized soil fertility improvement program in this three-part popular science guidebook.Healthy soil means thriving plants. Yet untangling the soil food web and optimizing your soil health is beyond most gardeners, many of whom lack an in-depth knowledge of the soil ecosystem.Soil Science for Gardeners is an accessible, science-based guide to understanding soil fertility and, in particular, the rhizosphere – the thin layer of liquid and soil surrounding plant roots, so vital to plant health.Coverage includes:Soil biology and chemistry and how plants and soil interactCommon soil health problems, including analyzing soil's fertility and plant nutrientsThe creation of a personalized plan for improving your soil fertility, including setting priorities and goals in a cost-effective, realistic time frame.Creating the optimal conditions for nature to do the heavy lifting of building soil fertilityWritten for the home gardener, market gardener, and micro-farmer, Soil Science for Gardeners is packed with information to help you grow thriving plants.

Soil Science for Gardeners : Working with Nature to Build Soil Fertility

Pavlis, Robert, author

Gabriola Island, BC, Canada: New Society Publishers

New Catalyst Books

Canada - English Language, Canada

Illustrated, PS, 2020

obscured texts on back cover due to sticker attached

Build healthy soil and grow better plants
Healthy soil means thriving plants. Yet untangling the soil food web and optimizing your soil health is beyond most gardeners, many of whom lack an in-depth knowledge of the soil ecosystem.
Soil Science for Gardeners is an accessible, science-based guide to understanding soil fertility and, in particular, the rhizosphere - the thin layer of liquid and soil surrounding plant roots, so vital to plant health.
Robert Pavlis, a gardener for over four decades, debunks common soil myths, explores the rhizosphere, and provides a personalized soil fertility improvement program in this three-part popular science guidebook. Coverage includes:
Soil biology and chemistry and how plants and soil interact
Common soil health problems, including analyzing soil's fertility and plant nutrients
The creation of a personalized plan for improving your soil fertility, including setting priorities and goals in a cost-effective, realistic time frame.
Creating the optimal conditions for nature to do the heavy lifting of building soil fertility
Written for the home gardener, market gardener, and micro-farmer, Soil Science for Gardeners is packed with information to help you grow thriving plants.

xi, 209 pages : 23 cm
"Soil Science for Gardeners is an easy-to-read, practical guide to the science behind a healthy soil ecosystem and thriving plants. The book debunks common myths, explains soil science basics, and provides the reader with the knowledge to create a personalized soil fertility improvement program for better plants."--
Includes index
Introduction -- section 1. Understanding soil; 1. Soil basics -- 2. Plant nutrients -- 3. Soil life -- 4. Bacteria -- 5. Fungi -- 6. Other organisms -- 7. Organic matter -- 8. Rhizosphere -- section 2. Solving soil problems; 9. Identifying soil problems -- 10. Gardening techniques that affect soil -- 11. Solving chemical issues -- 12. Solving microbe issues -- 13. Increasing organic matter -- 14. Dealing with structural problems -- section 3. A personalized plan for healthy soil; 15. Developing a plan for soil health improvement -- 16. How detailed should you get? -- 17. Soil health assessment -- 18. Soil health action plan -- Appendix A. Soil health assessment form -- Appendix B. Action plan for the year

"Soil Science for Gardeners is an easy-to-read, practical guide to the science behind a healthy soil ecosystem and thriving plants. The book debunks common myths, explains soil science basics, and provides the reader with the knowledge to create a personalized soil fertility improvement program for better plants."-- Provided by publisher

2024-08-23