Maria Rodale's Organic Gardening: our Seasonal Companion To Creting A Beautiful And Delicious [Hardcover]

Maria Rodale, who comes to organic gardening naturally--her father and grandfather, who founded Rodale Press, were famously passionate organic gardeners--felt for many years that while there was plenty of good information about organic gardening, there was neither an existing primer that taught all the very basics nor a book that showed that organic gardening can be a beautiful, sophisticated way to plant. ("Admit it, you thought that if you were an organic gardener, you needed to have black plastic mulches and aluminum pie plates to scare the birds and rabbits, didn't you?") So she wrote this one, which, from the discussion of planning your garden on graph paper and the tips on digging up grass to the recipes for using the fall harvest, is utterly, seductively beautiful.

The seasonal organization of the book does sometimes seem almost incidental, save for the calendar pages that show what to plant and what tasks to do during each month. But the discussion of seeds--the various types, where to get them, how to start them indoors--plus Nana's kugel recipe will keep new organic gardeners from chafing at the bit during the winter, and the interviews with numerous long-time organic gardeners make great reading throughout the year. Rodale shows great sense in deciding what's important to new gardeners and those just deciding to go organic. Pests, both animal and plant, are the great fear of potential organic gardeners, and many pages in the book are devoted to weeding effectively, beating the bugs, and gently monitoring the animal population (getting a dog or cat is one good, low-effort solution to keeping a number of destructive small mammals out of the root systems). Rodale's excellent photographs--of her children, her garden, the Rodale Institute farm--appear on almost every page of this artfully designed book. It's a joy to read, and will inspire many a fresh organic tomato. --Barrie Trinkle

In this debut of a new generation of America's first family of organic gardening, the author shucks the down-home, quirky pragmatism of her forebears to cultivate a more genteel interest in the style and pleasure of gardens. The theme behind this seasonally arranged almanac is that organic gardens can be beautiful and will produce delicious vegetables and fruit. A dizzying kaleidoscope of personal memoirs, philosophy and information is loosely organized into a legion of lists (everything from "easy steps to make your dreams come to life" to good bugs/bad bugs) and ubiquitous info bytes ("11 reasons why you should never, ever use chemicals again" and "five ways to dig up grass") and a few too many common-sense recipes (Mashed Potatoes, Corn). The breadth of subject matter is the strength of this bookAand its weakness. Although gardening neophytes will encounter encouragement and helpful advice, many will find that the fluffy or self-evident tips weaken the book. Rodale says, "This is not a book about how fabulous my own garden is. It's far too new and immature.... Maybe in another 30 years I will do a book on my own beautiful yard." Gardeners with some experience may opt to wait for the author's own maturing as a gardener and a writer. 600 color photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Following in the footsteps of her grandfather, founder of Organic Gardening magazine, and her father, founder of the Rodale Institute, the author shares basic organic methods and tips she has used to create her own sophisticated garden. She also includes ideas for celebrating the beauties of the four seasons, offering recipes and suggesting activities. Similar to Rebecca Kolls's Rebecca's Garden: Four Seasons To Grow On (LJ 5/1/98), her book is likely to be in demand because of its organic emphasis and the Rodale reputation, and it contains enough unique material to make it a worthwhile purchase. Even those readers already familiar with organic gardening will benefit from the comments on the history of the organic movement. Many will also enjoy the brief interviews with Rodale Institute staffers and the insights into the author's famous family. Recommended for all public libraries and gardening collections.?Bonnie Poquette, Appleton P.L., WI
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A member of organic gardening's first family here in America, Rodale--J. I.'s granddaughter--presents a potpourri of gardening tips, recipes, remedies, conversations, and reminiscences of particular use to less-experienced gardeners. There is, flat out, a lot of information here about many different aspects of organic gardening: composting, seeds, mulching, pruning, bugs, theories of organic gardening, plants to attract butterflies, preserving the bounty, "the only tools you'll ever need," and so on. With the book divided into four seasons, starting with winter, Rodale tries to re-create a typical year in the garden. But the organization sometimes seems forced. Why are backyard livestock discussed in the autumn section? Less definitive and less organized perhaps than many of the volumes this publisher produces, this book should still appeal to the new gardener. Alan Moores

Maria Rodale's new book contains some real pearls of wisdom presented in a refreshingly-dare I write it-earth way. Maria Rodale's Organic Gardening is a good read, and beautifully produced as well. The mysteries of organic gardening are revealed and delightfully described in Maria Rodale's Organic Gardening. Maria is a third-generation organic gardener, and her lifetime of observation reveals a holistic and fascinating view of the process. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys gardening. -- John Brookes, FSGD Author of The Book of Garden Design and John Brookes' Natural Landscapes

Maria Rodale, the third generation of the family that originated the organic gardening movement in the United States, has written a comprehensive and easy-to-use guide to designing and planting an organic garden that is both beautiful and productive. Conveniently divided by season, the book includes delicious recipes. 600 full-color photos and 50 color illustrations.

"The mysteries of organic gardening are revealed and delightfully described in Maria Rodale's Organic Gardening. Maria is a third-generation organic gardener, and her lifetime of observation reveals a holistic and fascinating view of the process. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys gardening." --Nell Newman, Founder of Newman's Own Organics: The Second Generation

"Maria Rodale's new book contains some real pearls of wisdom presented in a refreshingly--dare I write it--earthy way. Maria Rodale's Organic Gardening is a good read, and beautifully produced as well." --John Brookes, FSGD. Author of The Book of Garden Design and John Brookes' Natural Landscapes

Get more pleasure from your garden--and your life--with Maria Rodale's Organic Gardening. In this lavishly photographed book, Maria Rodale shows how organic gardening can be beautiful as well as bountiful, lush as well as luscious, sophisticated as well as soul-satisfying. Maria takes a season-by-season approach, showing how you can design your landscape for maximum livability every month of the year.

Each season has its own special tips, tools, and techniques, from starting seeds and making compost through pruning and companion planting. There are delicious harvest fresh recipes for each season, with wonderful ways to get more pleasure from cooking and eating your own organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs. And there are in-depth interviews with gardening experts, revealing their special, hard-won secrets and techniques. There is even a seasonal calendar so you can plan your gardening activities.

So pull up a chair and pick up Maria Rodale's Organic Gardening. You'll discover a bold new world of beautiful and delicious gardening fun!

Maria Rodale is the granddaughter of J.I. Rodale, the founder of the organic gardening movement in the United States and creator of Organic Gardening magazine. Maria and her family garden organically in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, where she is also vice-chairman of Rodale Press.