Organic Manual : Natural Organic Gardening and Living for Your Family, Plants, and Pets

by Garrett, Howard

• ISBN13: 9781930819573
• ISBN10: 1930819579
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-03-01
• Publisher: Tapestry Pr

Summary

Around the world, everyone is talking about environmental issues and the concept of "going green." Natural organic gardening and landscaping are among the most important parts of that movement. Some organic proponents only say to stop using the chemicals. Howard Garrett, in the Organic Manual, explains in detail what to do instead.

Author Biography

Howard Garrett is the nation's foremost authority on natural organic gardening. He is a landscape architect, arborist, author of many related books, and the host of a nationally syndicated radio talk show on organic living. He writes a weekly newspaper column, "The Natural Way" for the Dallas Morning News.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xi
About the Author	p. xiii
Introduction
Toxic Chemicals vs. Organics	p. 2
Reversing the Chemical Addiction	p. 3
Healthy Soils
Organic Material and Organic Matter	p. 7
Soil Microorganisms	p. 7
Soil Macroorganisms	p. 11
Minerals	p. 11
Fertilizer Elements	p. 13
Basic Organic Program
How Plants Grow	p. 17
How to Start an Organic Program	p. 18
Seven Steps in Going Organic	p. 18
Building a Healthy Soil	p. 22
Recreating the Forest Floor	p. 23
Biodiversity	p. 25
Plant Decisions
Selecting Ornamentals	p. 27
Landscaping with Herbs	p. 28
Vegetables, Fruits, Nuts	p. 33
Wildflowers	p. 34
Natural Organic Planting Techniques
Drainage	p. 37
Tree Planting	p. 37
Lawn Planting	p. 42
Organic Bed Preparation	p. 43
Shrub, Ground Cover, Vine, and Flower Planting	p. 44
Preparation of Farm Land	p. 45
Gardening by the Moon	p. 46
Mulch Choices	p. 47
Natural Organic Maintenance
Natural Tree Care	p. 53
Lawn Care	p. 58
Shrub, Ground Cover, Vine, and Flower Care	p. 61
Basic Animal Organic Program	p. 63
Making Compost	p. 64
Monthly Natural Organic Maintenance Calendar	p. 66
Natural Organic Pest Control
Beneficial Insects	p. 92
Harmful Insects	p. 99
Organic Pest Remedy Options	p. 110
Organic Disease Control	p. 118
Weeds	p. 122
Organic Animal Control	p. 127
Natural Organic Products
Organic Fertilizers	p. 131
Foliar Feeding	p. 140
Organic Pest Control Products	p. 143
Compost-Mother Nature's Fertilizer	p. 148
Appendix
Conversion Tables/Measurements	p. 152
Product Rate Chart	p. 156
Homemade Formulas	p. 159
Publication Resources	p. 161
Organic Rose Program	p. 163
Organic Pecan and Fruit Tree Program	p. 164
Edible and Medicinal Landscaping Plants	p. 165
Flower Choices	p. 167
Sick Tree Treatment	p. 168
Glossary	p. 171
Index	p. 181
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