Teaming with Microbes A gardener's guide to the soil food web
by Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis
This book is a clear cut easy read detailing the essential microbiology of our soil. Beginning with a basic refresher on the structure and function of various microorganisms and continuing with the role each organism plays in the breakdown, transport and storage of soil nutrients in the system. The structure and composition of soil is discussed as well as the role played by larger organisms such as worms and other insects. The book finishes with several chapters devoted to your role in this cycle both directly and indirectly, the actions we can take to encourage beneficial microbiological activity and reaping the benefits.
Eat More Dirt Diverting and Instructive Tips for Growing and Tending an Organic Garden
by Ellen Sandbeck
This book is a great combination of personal essays, how to, and gardening axioms. In addition to lots of practical instruction on tasks from seed starting to pruning and wild life management the tips for saving the gardener are indispensable, including stretching exercises and proper raking techniques to save your back. The advice information covered in this book is both amusing and useful keeping things in perspective. Take as much time to enjoy your garden as you take to build and maintain you space! The varied content in this book makes for a fun afternoon read.
The Curious Gardener's Almanac Centuries of Practical Garden Wisdom
By Niall Edworthy
Mostly an amusing collection of historical quotes and anecdotes there are a few facts and some advice mixed in this book. Useful mostly as light backyard reading it is also full of really cool victorian typographic ornamentation and pictures.
Second Nature A Gardener's Education
By Michael Pollan
An excellent collection of personal essays separated into sections according to season and touching on the authors personal experiences at his home and from his youth and musings on the concepts behind why we do what we do. Michael Pollan's style is easy to relate to and leaves you thinking "hey, yeah, I never thought of it that way!"
The Botany of Desire A Plant's-Eye View of The World
By Michael Pollan
Another great by this author. This details 4 plants and how they have influenced the world by capturing the hearts and minds of man kind. Including the tulip, apple, potato, and marijuana the discussion ranges to ideas of evolution to our dependancy and manipulation of the plants in world around us.
The Garden Primer
By Barbara Damrosch
A complete how to book from planting and growing techniques to tool guide and individual plant listings. The newest edition is revised to be 100% organic. Including sections on trees, lawns, annuals, perennials, vegetables, vines, fruits, house plants and more the advice in this book is practical and easy to follow. Including garden layout plans to spur you into thinking about your own lay out this is a great resource in any season.
A-Z encyclopedia of Garden Plants
Published by The American Horticultural Society
The tome of garden tomes. This is 1080 pages of plant information all printed in color 15000 plant listing with 6000 photos. Also included are sections with general botany information on plant identification and classification. Naming conventions and characteristics of the various genre are explained. Included in the back are full indexes with both common and the botanical name and a full glossary. The beautiful color photos, cultivation and propagation info in this book make it both a useful resource and amusing way to spend winter afternoons.
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