Organic Gardening For Dummies [Paperback]

Organic gardening means different things to different people. Everybody agrees that it means avoiding synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. For many it’s about having safe food to eat. For others is about non–toxic lawns. But organic gardening is about much more than good eating and nice landscapes. It’s also about making conscious decisions and taking responsibility for actions that affect the world outside your backdoor, beyond the end of your driveway, and outside the boundaries of your hometown. Growing organic food, flowers and landscapes represents a commitment to a sustainable system of living that is in harmony with nature. For many people, organic gardening is a way of life.

Whether you’re cultivating a fruit and vegetable garden, maintaining your lawn, or growing roses, this book shows you how to work with nature, not against it, to create an organic garden your whole family will enjoy. Well known gardening author and journalist, Anne Whitman, with the full support of The National Gardening Association, gets you up and running with what you need to know to:

• Design a resilient garden
• Wipe out weeds without chemical pesticides
• Combat pests with natural insect predators
• Buy or make compost and build healthy soil
• Prevent and control plant diseases naturally
• Find good organic suppliers and information sources

This enjoyable, easy–to–understand guide fills you in on the what, when, where, why, how and who of growing plants but protecting the environment. From composting and mulching to harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables, Organic Gardening For Dummies covers all the bases with clear, step–by–step coverage of:

• The basic concepts, practices and tools of organic gardening
• Building healthy soil and using organic fertilizers
• Keeping plants healthy, including tips on controlling pests safely
• Growing organically in your yard and garden—covers vegetables, herbs, small fruits, large fruits and nuts, flowers, trees and shrubs, and more
• Organic lawn care
• Organic solutions for challenging soils and climates

Organic gardening methods help the planet and yield healthier plants and people. Now Organic Gardening For Dummies makes it easy for you to grow organically.

Ensure a healthy harvest through environmentally friendly gardening techniques.

Want to grow an organic garden? This guide shows you how. From maintaining your lawn and choosing problem–free plants to growing hearty fruits and vegetables, you′ll discover how to stay organic year–round and reduce your garden′s impact on both the environment and your wallet.

• New to this edition — learn about the latest natural fertilizers, pest control methods, equipment, and gardening resources

• Is organic right for you? — understand the basic concepts of organic gardening and plan a low–maintenance landscape

• It all starts with the soil — test your soil, make compost, and nurture the underground ecosystem that helps your plants thrive

• Deal with pesky pests — from weeds to bugs to diseases, discover the specific control measures and products for organic pest management

• Food, glorious food — grow the freshest, tastiest, and most nutritious fruits, vegetables, herbs, and nuts

Open the book and find:

• The benefits of gardening organically

• Hands–on tips for gardeners at all levels

• Color photos of successful organic gardening practices

• Guidance in building and maintaining healthy soil

• An overview of pest–control products

• Inspirational tips for making eco–conscious decisions

• Ways to attract helpful insects and other organisms

• Ten ways to have an eco–friendly landscape

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

The National Gardening Association is the largestmember–based, nonprofit organization of home gardeners in the United States. Founded in 1972 (as Gardens for All) to spearhead the community gardenmovement, today′s NGA is best known for its bimonthly publication, National Gardening magazine. Reporting on all aspects of home gardening, each issue isread by some half–million gardeners worldwide.