Product Description

Smart gardeners know that soil is anything but an inert substance. Healthy soil is teeming with life-not just earthworms and insects, but a staggering multitude of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. When we use chemical fertilizers, we injure the microbial life that sustains healthy plants, and thus become increasingly dependent on an arsenal of artificial substances, many of them toxic to humans as well as other forms of life. But there is an alternative to this vicious circle: to garden in a way that strengthens, rather than destroys, the soil food web-the complex world of soil-dwelling organisms whose interactions create a nurturing environment for plants. By eschewing jargon and overly technical language, the authors make the benefits of cultivating the soil food web available to a wide audience, from devotees of organic gardening techniques to weekend gardeners who simply want to grow healthy, vigorous plants without resorting to chemicals.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20833 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-15
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 196 pages

Review
"Sure, its a gardening book, but it has all the drama and suspense of an extraterrestrial thriller. A cast of characters without eyeballs or backbones. Battle scenes with bizarre creatures devouring one another. Only this book is about as terrestrial as it gets." Debra McKinney, Anchorage Daily News, September 14, 2006

"Sure, it's a gardening book, but it has all the drama and suspense of an extraterrestrial thriller. A cast of characters without eyeballs or backbones. Battle scenes with bizarre creatures devouring one another. Only this book is about as terrestrial as it gets."
—Debra McKinney, Anchorage Daily News, September 14, 2006 (Anchorage Daily News )

Review
"All good gardeners know healthy plants start with healthy soil. But why? And how? In Teaming with Microbes Lowenfels and Lewis reveal the new research in the most practical and accessible way." Kym Pokorny, The Oregonian (The Oregonian )

?Sure, it's a gardening book, but it has all the drama and suspense of an extraterrestrial thriller...Read this book and you'll never look at soil the same way." Debra McKinney, Anchorage Daily News, September 14, 2006

"The authors have given gardeners an inside scoop on the scientific research supporting organic gardening." The Washington Gardener

"This book has all the best dirt on all the best dirt. It...explains the basics of good soil practices, and it's written especially for home gardeners." Marianne Binetti, Seattle Post Intelligencer March 3, 2007

"For years, we've thought of the 'food chains' in our environment. Lowenfels and Lewis explain an even more wonderful idea: the 'soil food web.' Read Teaming with Microbes and keep it or give it to the library so others may learn of this astounding way to grow vegetables, trees, lawns."

Pacific Horticulture, Fall 2006
"This is sure to gain that well-thumbed look than any good garden book acquires as it is referred to repeatedly over the years."

Customer Reviews

If you are ready to take it a step further.
This book is not for everyone. The first half as the author refers to it is a science book in every meaning. Details, facts, vocabulary are all present. I've had a fair amount of science in college but never in this area. I'll admit it was a bit slow at the start. But once you get to the second half it all falls into place. When he starts to discuss different composts, you understand what is in them, what purpose they serve, because he's already given you the background.

Cons not for everyone.

Teaming with Microbes
This is a detailed description of organisms in the soil, what kind you need for different types of plants, and how to get and keep them. It explains why organic gardening is more efficient, and eventually an easier way to grow. It is well written and informative.

A must for the organic gardener!
A beautifully written book. This book is simple and highly informative. It is a must read for everybody who is interested in organic gardening. Once you have read the book you will have a deep appreciation and understanding of soil.