Soil Science for Gardeners - Working With Nature to Build Soil Health

Build healthy soil and grow better plants

"Explains why things work in your garden! Equally important, Pavlis uses science to destroy so many gardening myths."

- JEFF LOWENFELS, author, DIY Autoflowering Cannabis and the Teaming With Trilogy

"A horticultural path of success and discovery."

- MARK CULLEN, C.M., president, Mark's Choice, co-author, Escape to Reality

HEALTHY SOIL MEANS thriving plants. Yet untangling the soil food web and optimizing soil health is beyond most gardeners, many of whom lack an in-depth knowledge of the soil ecosystem.

Soil Science for Gardeners is an accessible, science-based guide to understanding soil fertility and, in particular, the rhizosphere - the thin layer of liquid and soil surrounding plant roots, so vital to plant health.

Robert Pavlis, a gardener for over four decades, debunks common soil myths, explores the rhizosphere, and provides a personalized soil fertility improvement program in this three-part popular science guidebook. Coverage includes:

• Soil biology and chemistry and how plants and soil interact


• Common soil health problems, including analyzing soil's fertilityand plant nutrients


• The creation of a personalized plan for improving your soil fertility, including setting priorities and goals in a cost-effective, realistic time frame.


• Creating the optimal conditions for nature to do the heavy lifting of building soil fertility

Written for the home gardener, market gardener, and micro-farmer, Soil Science for Gardeners is packed with information to help you grow thriving plants.

"Painless science, practical knowledge. Read it from beginning to end!"

- LARRY HODGSON, the Laidback Gardener

"Tells what's going on in soils and then offers practical directions to manage soil for more productive and healthier plants."

- LEE REICH, author, The Ever Curious Gardener

ROBERT PAVLIS is the owner and developer of Aspen Grove Gardens, a 6-acre botanical garden that features 3,000 varieties of plants. Specializing in soil science, he has been an instructor for Landscape Ontario and is a garden blogger, writer, and chemist. He resides in Guelph, Ontario. gardenfundamentals.com

To help bring you the very best inspiration and information about greener, more sustainable lifestyles, Mother Earth News is recommending select New Society Publishers books to its readers. This book is one of them.

List of contents

Introduction
What Is Soil Health?
Using the Book
Terminology
SECTION 1: UNDERSTANDING SOIL
1. Soil Basics
    Components of Soil
    Origin of Soil
    Soil Particles
    Soil Texture
    Importance of Particle Size
    Air and Water
    Aggregation and Soil Structure
    Soil pH
2. Plant Nutrients
    Ions
    What Is Salt?
    Movement of Nutrients in Soil
    Essential Plant Nutrients
    Micronutrients
    Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)
3. Soil Life
    Energy Food Web
    The Power of Large Molecules
    Ratio of Fungi to Bacteria
    Chemicals in the Soil
    Pathogen Control
    Identification of Microbes
4. Bacteria
    What Do They Eat?
    Where Do They Live?
    Role in Disease Prevention
    Ideal Environment
    Role in Building Soil Aggregates
    Conditions that Harm Bacteria
    Nitrogen Fixation
5. Fungi
    What Do They Eat?
    Where Do They Live?
    Fungi at War
    Fungal Parasites
    Mycorrhizal Fungi
6. Other Organisms
    Actinomycetes
    Algae
    Protozoa
    Nematodes
    Arthropods
    Earthworms
7. Organic Matter
    Decomposition: Converting Dead Things into Humus
    Truth About Humus
    Too Much Organic Matter
    Compost
    Chelation
8. Rhizosphere
    Root Exudates
    Soil Enzymes
    Effect of Desiccation
    Soil pH Levels
    Dynamic Microbe Population
    Allelochemicals
    Plants Are in Control
SECTION 2: SOLVING SOIL PROBLEMS
9. Identifying Soil Problems
    Why Do We Fertilize?
    Soil Testing
    Plants as Indicators of Soil Problems
    Plant Tissue Analysis
    DIY Test Kits
    Determining Soil Texture
    Crusted Soil
    Quantification of Microbes
    Level of Organic Matter
    Compaction
    Hardpan
    Drainage
10. Gardening Techniques That Affect Soil
    Tilling
    Working the Land
    Mulching
    Hoeing
    Cover Crops
    Raised Bed Gardening
    Crop Rotation
    Companion Planting
11. Solving Chemical Issues
    Buffer Capacity
    Increasing pH
    Decreasing pH
    Saline and Sodic Soils
    Increasing CEC
    Synthetic vs Organic Fertilizers
    Understanding Fertilizers
    Synthetic Fertilizers
    Organic Fertilizers
    Fad Products
12. Solving Microbe Issues
    Inoculation
    Solarization
    Controlling Pathogens
    Compost Tea
    Best Practice for Increasing Microbe Populations
13. Increasing Organic Matter
    Options for Adding Organic Matter
    Cover Crops
    Vermicompost
    Bokashi Compost
    Biochar
    Biosolids
14. Dealing with Structural Problems
    Compaction
    Drainage Issues
    Modifying Soil Texture
    Clay Soils
    Sandy Soils
SECTION 3: A PERSONALIZED PLAN FOR HEALTHY SOIL
15. Developing a Plan for Soil Health Improvement
16. How Detailed Should You Get?
17. Soil Health Assessment
    Chemical Tests
    Soil Sampling Instructions
18. Soil Health Action Plan
    Soil Health Assessment
    Action Plan
    Action Plan Follow-up
Appendix A: Soil Health Assessment Form
Appendix B: Action Plan for the Year
Index
About the Author
About New Society Publishers

About the author

Robert Pavlis is the owner and developer of Aspen Grove Gardens, a 6-acre botanical garden that features 3,000 varieties of plants. Specializing in soil science, he has been an instructor for Landscape Ontario and is a garden blogger, writer, and chemist. He resides in Guelph, Ontario.

Summary

Soil Science for Gardeners is an easy-to-read, practical guide to the science behind a healthy soil ecosystem and thriving plants. The book debunks common myths, explains soil science basics, and provides the reader with the knowledge to create a personalized soil fertility improvement program for better plants.

Foreword

• Co-op available
• Galleys available to sales reps, trade publications, and long-lead media
• Digital galleys on Edelweiss
• National advertising: Mother Earth News, Hobby Farms, Acres U.S.A., Growing for Market
• National print campaign: Mother Earth News, Hobby Farms, Acres U.S.A., Growing for Market, Small Farm Journal, Urban Farm, American Gardener, garden columnists
• Online/social media campaign
  • Gardening podcasts
  • Gardening groups on Facebook
  • Promotion on New Society Publishers social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, our blog, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube
  • Eblast to GardenComm (Previously Garden Writers Assn.)
• General eBook marketing plan
  • eBook will be available at the same time as print publication to maximize sales
  • eBook ISBN will be included on all press materials, author and publisher websites, and whenever print ISBN is listed
  • publisher and author will be promoting both e and p through social media
• Excerpts target for first serial rights: Acres U.S.A., Growing for Market, Hobby Farms, Mother Earth News
• Promotion through the author's websites: www.GardenMyths.com, www.Gardenfundamentals.com
• Bookseller/library promotions: Baker & Taylor super annotation

Product details

• Authors: Robert Pavlis
• Publisher: New society publishing
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 12.05.2020
• EAN: 9780865719309
• ISBN: 978-0-86571-930-9
• No. of pages: 224
• Series: Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series
• Subjects: Guides > Nature > Garden; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Biology > Agriculture, horticulture; forestry, fishing, food; Non-fiction book > Nature, technology > Nature: general, reference works; GARDENING / Vegetables, Gardening: growing fruit & vegetables, AGRICULTURE & FARMING, Sustainable agriculture, Food & Gardening, Gardening: fruit & vegetable, Soil science & management, Soil science, sedimentology