Whether an experienced gardener is looking to go organic or a beginner wants to create a healthy, eco-friendly garden, the Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening contains the tips and techniques needed to produce beautiful flowers, top-quality herbs, and appetizing, wholesome fruits and vegetables. Explore the latest methods for cultivation without chemicals, discover the benefits of composting, and learn how to maintain an organic garden year-round.
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For more than 50 years, Rodale, Inc. has been a leading publisher of information on healthy, active, organic lifestyles.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If I could only have one book it would be this one. It is what is says...an Encyclopedia. Luckily I'm not limited to only one book as it does not cover some topics as well as other books. But that's the point of an encyclopedia..touch on all topics as best as can be done for the space available.
The first 30 pages are dedicated to the history of the organic movement and the basic design recommendations for an organic garden.
The next 70 pages cover the basics of soil care, watering, weed control, plant health and raising plants.
The next 100 pages cover various garden aspects like lawn care, woody plants, garden flowers, container gardening, gardening for wildlife and the use of greenhouses and covers.
Another 100 pages cover growing fruit, herbs and vegetables. This section alone is larger than 90% of most gardening book and well worth the price of the book alone.
It has the standard appendix and reference sections you would expect for a gardening book but a surprising extra is the H.D.R.A Organic Guidelines for Gardeners that is included as an appendix. I didn't even know such a thing existed until I read this book. Absolutely wonderful!
The first 30 pages are dedicated to the history of the organic movement and the basic design recommendations for an organic garden.
The next 70 pages cover the basics of soil care, watering, weed control, plant health and raising plants.
The next 100 pages cover various garden aspects like lawn care, woody plants, garden flowers, container gardening, gardening for wildlife and the use of greenhouses and covers.
Another 100 pages cover growing fruit, herbs and vegetables. This section alone is larger than 90% of most gardening book and well worth the price of the book alone.
It has the standard appendix and reference sections you would expect for a gardening book but a surprising extra is the H.D.R.A Organic Guidelines for Gardeners that is included as an appendix. I didn't even know such a thing existed until I read this book. Absolutely wonderful!
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By P. Callaway
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the book I pull off my bookshelf the most for my garden! It has everything - vegetables, flowers, lawns, herbs, trees, shrubs, fruits, as well as gardening basics like garden design, water storage, soil care, encouraging wildlife - I mean everything. It is quite a thick book, and very rich in pictures. At the back of the book, it has a short section on every vegetable I've ever tried to look up, as well as the most common diseases and pests that affect plants. I've looked up information like when to harvest garlic, how to harvest/store garlic, how to build trellises for plant supports in the garden, what ornamental shrubs are good for birds, which shrubs will grow in dry soil, how to propagate woody stemmed plants, what kind of mulches are good for vegetables, when to prune plants - all kinds of stuff.
That being said - this is an Encyclopedia. It's a good place to go for basic knowledge and quick reference, but for the nitty gritty details you may need in depth books on a specific topic. For instance, if you are just doing compost for your garden, this will get you started. It will tell you how compost works, how to make a composter, and what kinds of stuff you can put in your compost. However, if you want to know EVERYTHING about compost, like how to make it happen super fast, or what microorganisms specifically are doing the composting - you'll want a book on compost. Similarly with seed starting - it's a very good, basic overview of how to start seeds. It will get you started in the vegetable garden. But for strange wildflowers that take XYZ temperature for XYZ duration, you're going to need a book on wildflowers.
This is still the first book I go to whenever I have a question. And so far it has had a great deal of the answers - all with pretty pictures! I am buying the newest version of this for my library, so they can be up to date, and everyone can use it!
That being said - this is an Encyclopedia. It's a good place to go for basic knowledge and quick reference, but for the nitty gritty details you may need in depth books on a specific topic. For instance, if you are just doing compost for your garden, this will get you started. It will tell you how compost works, how to make a composter, and what kinds of stuff you can put in your compost. However, if you want to know EVERYTHING about compost, like how to make it happen super fast, or what microorganisms specifically are doing the composting - you'll want a book on compost. Similarly with seed starting - it's a very good, basic overview of how to start seeds. It will get you started in the vegetable garden. But for strange wildflowers that take XYZ temperature for XYZ duration, you're going to need a book on wildflowers.
This is still the first book I go to whenever I have a question. And so far it has had a great deal of the answers - all with pretty pictures! I am buying the newest version of this for my library, so they can be up to date, and everyone can use it!
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Lee
Format:Paperback
I find this book to be very helpful. This is my first garden, and so far am having great success, in no small part because of this book. It has great advice on the how to's of everything you'll need to know to have a successful garden from composting to pest control, planting to harvesting. The photography is outstanding, it's a welcome return to nature for a busy mom of two young sons. You'll enjoy reading this book as well as the viewing experience you will also have. Enjoy!!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
RODALE'S ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ORG. GARDENING
I always enjoy Rodale books. This one is beautiful to look at and
very informative and helpful. I enjoy the book very much.
very informative and helpful. I enjoy the book very much.
Published 3 months ago by informed reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening
I love this book! Its is the best book about organic Gardening. Step by step and very simple... Every Gardener should have one..
Published 19 months ago by Law Margarita
3.0 out of 5 stars
Rodale's Illustrate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening
The book was not what I thought it was going to be - too much information (which I guess is a good thing) but not enough information for what I was looking for.
Published on August 18, 2010 by Roberta Silva Welk
2.0 out of 5 stars
not useable information
This book deapointed me completly. It has only beautiful ilustrations but not useable information, waste of money...
Published on April 20, 2010 by Martin Neumann K
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Ton of Info for the Serious Gardner
If you really want to be a organic gardner, this is a great book. I, on the other hand, am really only looking into added a few parts of organic gardening to my current gardens. Read more
Published on January 5, 2010 by C. Dull
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of My Favorite Organic Gardening Reference Books
When I need information quickly about organic pest control, companion planting, composting and other organic soil amendment strategies, Rodale's Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening... Read more
Published on February 9, 2009 by Phoebe King
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rodale's Encylopedia of Organic Gardening.
A straight forward approach for the biggner, and good for brushing up on items forgotten.
Published on December 12, 2008 by Don C. Rogers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Organic Gardening Book
This book was purchased for my daughter. She has found it extremely helpful as she is gardening organically for the first time.
Published on September 15, 2008 by S Strong
5.0 out of 5 stars
perfect!
this is a great source for those who are interested in organic (or close too) gardening/growing, etc. Read more
Published on March 21, 2008 by J. Kundla
2.0 out of 5 stars
Poorly researched
This book is poorly researched. One section of the book talks about fungi being plants that do not undergo photosynthesis. Read more
Published on September 27, 2007 by N. Reyna
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