Extreme Green Organic Gardening

by Philip Rastocny

Overview

Organic gardening is very popular today and this guide explains how to do it all from start to finish. Although written for the beginner and novice, concepts and explanations around the entire process of preparation, seasonal considerations, soil amendments, ancient farming wisdom, planning, harvesting, and storage also address issues for the more seasoned gardener.

Low-cost and no-cost tips on soil analysis, amendment requirements, composting, planting, fertilization, watering, harvesting, and storage.

Several detailed appendices describe topics like frost dates, astrological planting schedules, moon phases, and plant pH preferences.

A unique feature of this guide is an extensive companion planting guide that lists compatible vegetables, flowers, and herbs, and their symbiotic relationships.

This is a must have guide for anyone wanting to understand vegetable gardens and soil. Many tips are applicable to other types of gardens as well.

34 Tables and Illustrations

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 — Soil Composition
Example
Adjusting the Ratio
Summary
Chapter 2 — Soil Analysis
Sensory Observations
Summary
Chapter 3 — Soil Amendments
Compost
Amending Your Soil
Make an Album/Journal
Summary
Chapter 4 — Planting
What Can I Plant?
When Can I Plant
Lunar Gardening
Astrological Gardening
Summary
Chapter 5 — Planning
First Thoughts
pH
Determine the Basic Size
Mark Out the Garden
Seeds
Summary
Chapter 6 — Planting
Companion Plants
Sprawlers
Climbers
Seed Depth
Chapter 7 — Fertilizing
Rabbit Pellet Food
Manure
Fish
Tea
Application
Summary
Chapter 8 — Watering
Chapter 9 — Harvesting and Storage
General Guidelines
Specific Examples
Appendix A – Average Killing Frost Dates
Appendix B – Astrological Schedule
Appendix C – Moon Phase Calendar
Appendix D – Plant pH Preferences
Appendix E — Companion Plants
Appendix F — Links

Product Details

BN ID:	2940012723604
Publisher:	Grasslands
Publication date:	12/22/2010
Series:	Extreme Green
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Biography
As a Senior Editor/Writer for Bell Telephone Laboratories (the people who invented the transistor), Lucent Technologies, and others I’ve been involved in the bleeding edge of technology for over 30 years. With a personal interest in energy conservation, I then helped industry find ways to lower electrical consumption.
With my heart in technical writing, I had a dream of going “off the grid” and living with the smallest carbon footprint I could. I documented my personal home energy conservation projects taking step-by-step assembly notes, photographs, and videos explaining how others can replicate what I did. With my familiarity in conservation technologies, I created a set of simple DIY solutions to common residential energy conservation projects requiring in most cases a limited skill set. For those whose skills may not encompass all of those required, a few talented friends will most likely fill in any of these gaps.
My wife says that I’m an awesome fellow full of life and passion. These articles can help you fan the flames of similar desires in yourself. May the consciousness for doing the right thing one day blossom within you like a flower in a mountain field.