Soil Science for Gardeners: Working with Nature to Build Soil Health (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series) Kindle Edition

This is basically one expert's opinion about what you should not do to your soil. Not a bad book, but somewhat subjective. For example, the author argues that all nutrients are the same regardless where the come from, so skip the high priced organic/natural stuff and go straight for synthetic fertilizers. Author believes that too much of anything, even too much compost, is toxic. The word toxic appears quite a bit throughout the book. Author suggests that soil tests are not worth it, because soil tests can be performed using different methods, and different methods provide different results, and since soil tests don't usually explain what testing methods were used, the soil test is not worth it. These are just a few examples. Overall, not a bad book to read for a mid-level gardener, looking to expand your understanding of the soil, just understand that a lot of the books seems to contradict other books I have in my library. That's not bad though, to get different perspectives and reach your own conclusions.

I have a Biology degree with a specialty in Botany. Soil health is the foundation of a garden and landscape, without a good foundation you will grow tired of seeing plants fail to thrive. This book reads like a cliff note version of a soil science textbook and was exactly what I was looking for.The book offers a detailed, scientific explanation of how to create a healthy soil ecosystem. I especially appreciated the practical home tests that I can perform to track my progress. Thank you for this excellent resource.

When I read the reviews on this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. Some reviews praised it highly, yet others denigrated it, saying that the author stated that chemicals were just as good as organic, so save your money. I've now read about half of the book (the last half, with the practical info), and expect to read the first half soon. I found the book to be very informative and contrary to the one review, the author does NOT encourage the use of chemicals.Although some of the information I already knew, the book also contains new information, and also cleared up some myths that have been spread about soil. I especially liked that section. Not only does he clear up that it's a myth, he also explains WHY it isn't true. It's sad that so many other books and articles continue to spread misinformation, just because it's something those authors have read beforeI found the book to be very practical, and expect it will help me a lot in my venture to tame my new environment that has rocky, clay, non-productive, compacted soil. I can hardly wait to get into the scientific details that are more in the beginning of the book.

I liked the author's coverage of soil basics, nutrients, and problem solving. The book is well organized and written at a level that most people should be able to comprehend. I am going to implement the soil assessment form and action plan - I believe these will be good tools to use in improving my gardening success. I especially liked the discussion about many different folk/fad practices (that many gardening books promote without evidence). Avoiding these practices alone will save me well over the cost of the book!

I am a gardener not Carl Sagan. Vanity Press all the way. I am embarrassed that I bought it! Thank you Amazon for all the fine things that you sell!

Great information and explained well for amateur gardens. Increase your knowledge about your plants needs from the soil.

Wonderfull book, just what I was looking for.Arrived in a timely fashion.

I was amazed at how soil and water interact with each other to provide what a plant needs. This book provides a super way to understand that no matter whether organic or man made a fertilizer is, the soil does not care because the chemical usage will be the same.

The first chapter provides a good technical description of soil and how to identify different soil types. What blew it for me was the repeat of Monsanto's claim that Roundup breaks down in soil in 3 months. There is independent research to show that it can be much longer than that and recent evidence that the breakdown process changes soil micro organisms. Add to that the mounting evidence to links with cancer then there is no reason to even mention Roundup in a book about the very basis of life on Earth.

Was a present, the recipient was very pleased.

soil science for gardeners has help with my college work and job.

A very informative read. Home gardeners can definitely benefit from this material. I donate a lot of books to the local library after I'm done. This is one I will keep for my personal collection.