Building soils naturally : innovative methods for organic gardeners

In an organic garden, plants in optimum health thrive abundantly, have harvests with amazing taste, and have the ability to fight off plant predators. When they don't there's often something lacking in their proper nutrition, they are missing beneficial microorganism companions, or they are short of the energy needed to reach their full nutrient-dense potential. The solution is to ''start with the soil.'' But healthy soil doesn't happen just by composting, fertilizing or companion planting alone. The solution is in Building Soils Naturally, where gardeners will find a hands-on plan of how to create productive, living soil by using a practical holistic approach - crafted right in your garden. In Building Soils Naturally, organic gardeners will find a hands-on plan of how to create productive, living soil by using a practical holistic approach - crafted right in your garden Most produce from the grocery store doesn't have the nutrition that it used to have, so more and more people are becoming interested in growing their own food nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds. Building Soils Naturally shows gardeners how to grow more nutritious food and have more healthy, pest-resistant flowers and ornamental plants. Whether experienced or just getting started, gardeners are likely to encounter some perplexing (and common) setbacks certain fruit and vegetable plants that don't produce as expected, ornamental plants that fail to thrive, and plant predators that chew plants to the ground. All of these issues point to plants that aren't at optimum health. So, what could be wrong? Plants may be lacking in proper nutrition, missing beneficial microorganism companions, or short of energy to reach their full nutrient-dense potential. The advice most often given is start with the soil, but what specific steps should gardeners do? Building Soils Naturally shows how to create productive, living soil using a simple, practical, hands-on plan that includes: Using compost and microbial inoculants to balance the soil food web Controlling plant predators and weeds forever, without chemicals Soil testing and full-spectrum organic fertilizing Healthy soil doesn't happen just by composting, fertilizing or using companion planting. It happens by using a holistic approach outlined in this book and crafted right in the garden. Outlines proven, sustainable methods for growing healthy food and plants that contribute to a healthy planet and a healthy you. Grow vigorous, more pest-resistant vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants by using complete and balanced nutrients -- far beyond the simplistic, imbalanced concept of NPK. Healthy soil doesn't happen just by composting, fertilizing or companion planting. It happens by using a holistic approach -- outlined in this book and crafted right in your garden