Teaming with microbes : the organic gardener's guide to the soil food web / Jeff Lowenfels & Wayne Lewis ; foreword by Elaine Ingham.
Material type: TextPublication details: Portland, Or. : Timber Press, 2010.Edition: Rev. edDescription: 220 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 24 cmISBN:- 1604691131
- 9781604691139
- Organic gardener's guide to the soil food web
Item type | Home library | Collection | Call number | Materials specified | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adult Book | Main Library | NonFiction | 631.4 L917 | Available | 33111006441220 |
Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:
"A breakthrough book. No comprehensive horticultural library should be without it." -American Gardener
When we use chemical fertilizers, we injure the microbial life that sustains plants, and then become increasingly dependent on an arsenal of toxic substances. Teaming with Microbes offers an alternative to this vicious circle, and details how to garden in a way that strengthens, rather than destroys, the soil food web. You'll discover that healthy soil is teeming with life-not just earthworms and insects, but a staggering multitude of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms.
This must-have guide is for everyone, from those devoted to organic gardening techniques to weekend gardeners who simply want to grow healthy plants without resorting to chemicals.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 207-210) and index.
Pt. 1. The basic science. What is the soil food web and why should gardeners care? -- Classic soil science -- Bacteria -- Archaea -- Fungi -- Algae and slime molds -- Protozoa -- Nematodes -- Arthropods -- Earthworms -- Gastropods -- Reptiles, mammals, and birds -- pt. 2. Applying soil food web science to yard and garden care. How the soil food web applies to gardening -- What do your soil food webs look like? -- Tools for restoration and maintenance -- Compost -- Mulch -- Compost teas -- Mycorrhizal fungi -- The lawn -- Maintaining trees, shrubs, and perennials -- Growing annuals and vegetables -- A simple soil food web garden calendar -- No one ever fertilized an old growth forest -- Appendix. The soil food web gardening rules.