Robert Pavlis

Soil Science for Gardeners

Working with Nature to Build Soil Health

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

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.

Produktdetails

• Garden Science Series
• Verlag: New Society Publishers
• Seitenzahl: 224
• Erscheinungstermin: 7. April 2020
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 228mm x 155mm x 17mm
• Gewicht: 350g
• ISBN-13: 9780865719309
• ISBN-10: 0865719306
• Artikelnr.: 57119783

Autorenporträt

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.

Inhaltsangabe

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