Product Description

Gardeners tend to assume that any organic product is automatically safe for humans and beneficial to the environment—and in most cases this is true. The problem, as Jeff Gillman points out in this fascinating, well-researched book, is that it is not always true, and the exceptions to the rule can pose a significant threat to human health. To cite just one example, animal manures in compost can be a source of harmful E. coli contamination if imporperly treated. Gillman's contention is that all gardening products and practices—organic and synthetic—need to be examined on a case-by-case basis to determine both whether they are safe and whether they accomplish the task for which they are intended.

Ultimately, Gillman concludes, organic methods are preferable in most situations that gardeners are likely to encounter. After reading this eye-opening book, you will understand why, and why knowledge is the gardener's most important tool.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #44291 in Books
• Published on: 2008-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Review
"How do you separate the hype from the facts? Spending 13 bucks on [The Truth About Organic Gardening]…may go a long way.”
—Washington Post (The Washington Post )

"Sure to cause controversy and heated discussion...What The Truth About Organic Gardening does is introduce more than 100 products and planting techniques and cite the latest university tests and factual results so that gardeners can make responsible choices and not continue to link the words 'organic,' 'safe' and 'effective' so firmly in their minds."
—Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Seattle Post-Intelligencer )

"To be the best gardener, tend your soil, plant a diverse garden, tolerate some imperfection, and make informed
case-by-case choices to deal with problems. [The Truth About Organic Gardening] can help."
—The Chicago Tribune (Chicago Tribune )

Review

"[Gillman] examines over a hundred traditional gardening products and protocols, both organic and synthetic, to determine whether they are safe and effective."

Garden Compass

“I’ve come away from this book—a reference text masquerading as a beach read—with hands-on knowledge that is just plain useful. The book gives you the facts about synthetic and organic techniques and encourages you to do further research, then make educated decisions about your own garden.” - Horticulture Magazine

“Jeff Gillman is a voice of reason.” - Kirkus Review (Kirkus Review )

“One green book that isn’t buying into the hype.”

Raleigh News & Observer

Review
"This fascinating book showed me what and how remedies work (or don't), and why. I was interested to learn about potentially hazardous 'quick fixes' and, as always, to have nonsensical myths busted. If I do keep any of my harmless homemade concoctions around, I know now that I'll probably be doing it for their placebo effect—on me."
—Ken Druse

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Customer Reviews

Every Organic Gardener Should Read This First
Excellent information about organic gardening, and does a great job of dispelling various myths. It also debunks people like Jerry Baker, who would have you fertilizing your garden with ammonia -- gak. Highly recommend this book.

Balanced and well written
A surprisingly easy read, Jeff Gillman presents the pros and cons of organic and synthetic techniques for gardening, including soil management and pest control of all kinds (bugs, weeds, fungus, etc.). A good reference book and one I want to give my friend who covers everything in pesticide dust! Will not help with identification of gardening problems, but provides an understanding of the impact of all applications.

Gardening Book

I received the book in good time and I was very pleased with it.