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

Build healthy soil and grow better plants Robert Pavlis, a gardener for over four decades, debunks common soil myths, explores the rhizosphere, and provides a personalized soil fertility improvement program in this three-part popular science guidebook. Healthy soil means thriving plants. Yet untangling the soil food web and optimizing your soil health is beyond most gardeners, many of whom lack an in-depth knowledge of the soil ecosystem. Soil Science for Gardeners is an accessible, science-based guide to understanding soil fertility and, in particular, the rhizosphere – the thin layer of liquid and soil surrounding plant roots, so vital to plant health. Coverage includes: Soil biology and chemistry and how plants and soil interact Common soil health problems, including analyzing soil's fertility and plant nutrients The creation of a personalized plan for improving your soil fertility, including setting priorities and goals in a cost-effective, realistic time frame. Creating the optimal conditions for nature to do the heavy lifting of building soil fertility Written for the home gardener, market gardener, and micro-farmer, Soil Science for Gardeners is packed with information to help you grow thriving plants. Build healthy soil and grow better plants Healthy soil means thriving plants. Yet untangling the soil food web and optimizing your soil health is beyond most gardeners, many of whom lack an in-depth knowledge of the soil ecosystem. Soil Science for Gardeners is an accessible, science-based guide to understanding soil fertility and, in particular, the rhizosphere - the thin layer of liquid and soil surrounding plant roots, so vital to plant health. Robert Pavlis, a gardener for over four decades, debunks common soil myths, explores the rhizosphere, and provides a personalized soil fertility improvement program in this three-part popular science guidebook. Coverage includes: Soil biology and chemistry and how plants and soil interact Common soil health problems, including analyzing soil's fertility and plant nutrients The creation of a personalized plan for improving your soil fertility, including setting priorities and goals in a cost-effective, realistic time frame. Creating the optimal conditions for nature to do the heavy lifting of building soil fertility Written for the home gardener, market gardener, and micro-farmer, Soil Science for Gardeners is packed with information to help you grow thriving plants. Front Cover 1 Praise 2 Title Page 4 Rights Page 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Introduction 14 Section 1: Understanding Soil 22 Chapter 1: Soil Basics 24 Chapter 2: Plant Nutrients 42 Chapter 3: Soil Life 58 Chapter 4: Bacteria 64 Chapter 5: Fungi 72 Chapter 6: Other Organisms 78 Chapter 7: Organic Matter 84 Chapter 8: Rhizosphere 102 Section 2: Solving Soil Problems 110 Chapter 9: Identifying Soil Problems 112 Chapter 10: Gardening Techniques That Affect Soil 132 Chapter 11: Solving Chemical Issues 146 Chapter 12: Solving Microbe Issues 164 Chapter 13: Increasing Organic Matter 172 Chapter 14: Dealing with Structural Problems 184 Section 3: A Personalized Plan for Healthy Soil 192 Chapter 15: Developing a Plan for Soil Health Improvement 194 Chapter 16: How Detailed Should You Get? 196 Chapter 17: Soil Health Assessment 198 Chapter 18: Soil Health Action Plan 202 Appendix A: Soil Health Assessment Form 210 Appendix B: Action Plan for the Year 214 Index 216 About the Author 222 Also by the Author 223 About New Society Publishers 225 A Guide to Responsible Digital Reading 226 **Build healthy soil and grow better plants** Robert Pavlis, a gardener for over four decades, debunks common soil myths, explores the rhizosphere, and provides a personalized soil fertility improvement program in this three-part popular science guidebook. Healthy soil means thriving plants. Yet untangling the soil food web and optimizing your soil health is beyond most gardeners, many of whom lack an in-depth knowledge of the soil ecosystem. __Soil Science for Gardeners__ is an accessible, science-based guide to understanding soil fertility and, in particular, the rhizosphere – the thin layer of liquid and soil surrounding plant roots, so vital to plant health. * Soil biology and chemistry and how plants and soil interact * Common soil health problems, including analyzing soil's fertility and plant nutrients * The creation of a personalized plan for improving your soil fertility, including setting priorities and goals in a cost-effective, realistic time frame. * Creating the optimal conditions for nature to do the heavy lifting of building soil fertility "Soil Science for Gardeners is an easy-to-read, practical guide to the science behind a healthy soil ecosystem and thriving plants. The book debunks common myths, explains soil science basics, and provides the reader with the knowledge to create a personalized soil fertility improvement program for better plants."-- Provided by publisher