New Book on Soils For Gardeners

Understanding soils girds our work in the garden and is a part of a successful gardeners' ability to be successful. There are books out there on soil, I've mentioned a lot of them to my classes and I've probably said something here in the past. But most soils book are too heavily invested in "acres" while gardeners are planting "square feet," or they are so loaded with scientific words and concepts that an average, brain just melts under the onslaught. 

Written by Nancy Cipes and Gretchen Renshaw, 

Yet, we all know how important understanding our soil and how it works, accepting full well that this thing we call "soil" plays a major role in the creation and tenability of our creation. I have spent many years coming up with lectures that actually address what is going on in the soil with the roots of my plants and describing how that works to students without overwhelming them with science. What I have done for my students has been eclipsed by a book that does what I have tried to do, but does so by covering much more than my simple lectures have done. 

I heard about the book on line and immediately ordered it. When it arrived, the first chapter ran parallel to what is always my first words to each class on soil! I was so happy then to see that it went way beyond that first chapter, but stayed firmly in language that everyone can handle and included many of the same illustrations I have found to be useful. It covers a lot of ground and does so with simple elegance. I am ecstatic that there is now a book I can suggest for all my students that will give them a good grounding in these subjects. 

I am overjoyed to feature this book on my blog because it fills a niche that's been left untouched for far too many years. If you garden and you are not a soil scientist, get this book. You'll thank me sooner or later!  It's going to help you achieve your garden dreams.

Underground, A Gardeners Guide to Soil and Plant Nutrition
by Nancy Cipes and Gretchen Renshaw, 
Independently Published
2019 

david