Grow Organic: Over 250 Tips and Ideas for Growing Flowers, Veggies, Lawns and More [Paperback]

Doug Oster (Author), Jessica Walliser (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2007

Millions of people now are gardening in America today. And the good news is that the "tipping point" for organic gardening is here to stay. Green is the new black. Grow Organic is an easy-to-read book that includes eight chapters on everything from soil management, to companion planting, to beneficial bugs for flowers and veggies. Each chapter contains quick tips for beginning gardeners and advanced quick tips in every chapter for experienced gardeners more than 250 in all. Co-authors Doug Oster and Jessica Walliser have nearly 50 years of gardening experience between them. Each chapter also includes "Tell-All" sections that share special methods they ve learned in their own gardens 'been there, done that' lessons.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Grow Organic proves once and for all that dousing your yard in toxic chemicals is so 20th century. This is practical, attainable advice delivered in a friendly and unthreatening way. Homeowners and gardeners both need this book. --Theresa Ciesinski, Senior Editor of Organic Gardening magazine

Co-authors Jessica Walliser and Doug Oster are terrific guides along the organic garden path. Safe, simple solutions are offered instead of toxic chemical fixes...and you ll fall in love with your garden all over again as you learn to garden cooperatively with nature. --Ann Lovejoy, author of Ann Lovejoy's Organic Garden Design School and Gardening from Scratch

This book is a gentle and inspirational aid for homeowners looking to cut the chemicals from their outdoor life. --Mike McGrath, host of NPR s "You Bet Your Garden"

About the Author

Doug Oster is the Garden Columnist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. His herb and recipe articles are also syndicated nationally by the LA Times. He is the co-host of The Organic Gardeners each week on KDKA radio. He also appears regularly on WQED television, KDKA television and WYEP radio. He is a popular lecturer to dozens of garden clubs and conferences each year. Doug lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Jessica Walliser is a syndicated writer regularly featured in Organic Gardening magazine and Hobby Farms magazine. She is the co-host of The Organic Gardeners each week on KDKA radio and also appears on WYEP s Allegheny Front program regularly. She is a keynote speaker and lectures nationally to master garden clubs and conventions. She and her husband live on the 25 acre Muddy Paws Farm, growing organic produce, herbs, and cut flowers. Jessica lives north of Pittsburgh in Beaver County, PA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: St. Lynns Press (April 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976763168
• ISBN-13: 978-0976763161
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #818,354 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Old Schoolers and Newbies ~ This book is for everyone!, April 12, 2007

By 

C. Andre (Flagstaff, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grow Organic: Over 250 Tips and Ideas for Growing Flowers, Veggies, Lawns and More (Paperback)

Okay, I have to say I have read at LEAST 200 Organic Gardening books and this one will remain on my shelf as a keeper. This book offers such a fresh and welcoming approach to pesticide free growing.

The common sense approach and easy reading make this a practical, educational tool for any skill set. I can see myself picking this up at the beginning of each growing season as a refresher as well as idea generator for my next garden plans.

Not only does this offer great hints and tips but it encourages folks to live a chemical free life. It shows how easy and sensible natural living can be and I have learned so much.

Bravo to the authors on their contribution to natural growing, living and believing!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and accessable, May 6, 2007

By 

Analog Kid (SF, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grow Organic: Over 250 Tips and Ideas for Growing Flowers, Veggies, Lawns and More (Paperback)

My wife and I listen to Doug and Jessica's program on Sirius and, when we heard about their book, we knew it would be a good resource to have on hand. I enjoyed the conversational tone of the book-- it's kind of like listening to them on the air and makes it easy to absorb the knowledge they present.

While we have gardened organically for years, we've learned that it is both a science and an art. Like any art, there is much to be learned from those with with experience-- those who have made the mistakes you want to avoid. This is the first book I've read where the authors actually admit they've made mistakes and they don't make you feel guilty about having made any of your own.

The chapter with the step-by-step guide to organic pest control is great. Nothing makes you want to reach for the quick fix in a can like seeing your hard work invaded, but the steps given here (and the gentle reminders to be patient in letting nature achieve her balance) help maintain a little sanity while reminding you that an intelligent, methodical approach can help you keep the upper hand.

The other important point to make about any reference is that the index is effective.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to start getting the chemicals out of their gardens but don't know where begin. For those who have been doing this for a while but can still benefit from good advice, the writing style is light and terse making it easy to skim over the bits you already know.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Have a golf-club-perfect lawn, organically!, April 15, 2007

By 

Ladybug (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grow Organic: Over 250 Tips and Ideas for Growing Flowers, Veggies, Lawns and More (Paperback)

I've been growing organically for many years, but never paid much attention to my lawn. I've already been employoing several of their tips, but never did anything about the weeds or grubs, because I don't want children playing on a treated lawn, or to have the chemicals leach into the groundwater.

Chapter 8 of this book tells us how to have a rich, country-club lawn, without applying toxic chemicals, and without spending countless, fruitless hours hand-digging the plantains and dandelions. If your lawn is already treated with chemicals, they'll teach you how to transition your yard to organic, yet still maintain a perfect golf-club-green lawn. I'm looking forward to employing their techniques, so that I can say "good-bye forever" to dandelions, crabgrass, and grubs!