Secrets to Great Soil (Storey's Gardening Skills Illustrated) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Though the earth beneath our feet seems solid, only half the soil is hard particles..." (more)
Key Phrases: Cooperative Extension Service, All Annual, Inorganic Sources (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

What this book lacks in pizzazz it makes up for in practicality. Although Stell's crisp, no-nonsense presentation is as utilitarian as a sturdy trowel, she packs in an impressive amount of information. Some of the discussions are fairly technical?soil acidity and nutrients, for example?and may initially be daunting to novices, but the lively layout (an abundance of illustrative line drawings, charts and sidebar features such as "Master Gardening Tips" and "Hints for Success") keeps the material accessible. Stell leaves no stone unturned in exploring her subject, whether instructing on how to identify particular types of soils, remedy deficiencies, improve problem soils or zero in on the needs of specific plants. She's thorough, presenting, for instance, not one or two but half a dozen different composting methods. The book may not dazzle readers with its style, but it's a valuable resource they'll no doubt find themselves turning to time and again.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Stell starts with an analysis of soil: how it was formed, its different textures, its structure, and the importance of drainage and earthworms. She explains how to create fertile soil with the help of nutrients and organic matter and what hand tools are needed to cultivate the soil--trowels, hoes, spades, shovels, weeders, forks, rakes, etc., as well as power tools such as shredders, trimmers, mowers, rototillers, and cultivators. There's a chapter on making and using compost and how to construct composting bins, a chapter on the use of mulches, and one on choosing and using fertilizers. Another chapter gives data on starting a new garden and deals with raised beds, sunken beds, slopes, and terraces. This latest volume in Storey's Gardening Skills Illustrated series contains 300 detailed color drawings. George Cohen --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (January 2, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580170080
• ISBN-13: 978-1580170086
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #134,426 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfectly formatted, easy to read work of gardening art!, March 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Secrets to Great Soil (Storey's Gardening Skills Illustrated) (Hardcover)

I went to the library today to see if they had anything new. I've read about every book our small library has which pertains to gardening. Out of the corner of my eye I happened upon "Secrets to Great Soil." It looked interesting; I checked it out. I am now here at amazon.com to purchase this book. I've been organic gardening for 25 years and in all these many years have not found a book which thoroughly lists organic, inorganic, and synthetic fertilizers in a format which is easy to discern. It is easy to read for anyone, regardless the experience. Both novice and advanced gardeners will enjoy this journey of soil science along with the explanation. I am deeply moved by all the work which went into this highly recommended publication.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gardening Book, April 18, 2008

By	Hawk (Bay Area) - See all my reviews

Simply a marvelous book that is so easy to use. Addresses many questions the gardener may ask about soil nutrition, structure, pH level and how to adjust them. I have been a gardener for thirty five years but questions about soil and what to do to make the best of a particular situation arise still. This book has become a wonderful resource for me. Chaptered and indexed for easy accessibility. Very thorough in its information for both organic and formulated solutions. Highly recommend.

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice information, but nothing I didn't already have, August 20, 2009

By	J. V. Lewis (secure undisclosed location) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I think this is a good book for beginning gardeners who are just starting to get a sense of what makes great soil. It covers the basics in a thorough, organized way. More experienced gardeners aren't going to find much new here, though having it all in one place is helpful. As the part-owner of a commercial organic farm, some information I was hoping for is just not here: how do you remedy soil structure problems on a large scale? How do you handle cover crops when a pitchfork isn't adequate? But for the backyard garden this book is perfectly adequate. Some standouts are the sections on managing soil diseases without chemicals and triple-bin composting. A good resource.