Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensable Green Resource for Every Gardener

by Fern Marshall Bradley (Editor), Deborah L. Martin

Over 400 entries of the most practical, up-to-date gardening information ever, collected from garden experts and writers nationwide!

"Gardens are places to renew yourself in mind and body, to reawaken to the truth and beauty of the natural world, and to feel the life force inside and around you. And the organic way to garden is safer, cheaper, and more satisfying. Organic gardeners have shown that it's possible to have pleasant and productive gardens in every part of this country without using toxic chemicals. They make their home grounds an island of purity."--Robert Rodale

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Reference, Nature, Food, Agriculture, Science

704 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[sistaotey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't think of a better book to add to my organic gardening resources. I read through it for every plant that I'm growing this year and found so many tips for them and other things as well. I am a garden coach and I Highly Recommend this book.

[Lorilin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always such a good resource. Helps me time and again.

[Natasha Alterici · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource, must read for anyone who wants to grow things.

[Adam]

I spent August with this, just in case 2021 is worse. I might like to eat something besides the neighbors.

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensable Green Resource for Every Gardener by Fern Marshall Bradley includes alphabetically organized entries for a wide range of topics. You can read about vegetables, fruits, perennials, trees, shrubs and lawns. Each entry describes the optimum water, sun and soil composition. In addition to specific plant species there are also entries on other topics like shade gardens, composting and raised beds. The information seems thorough and well-organized.

Unfortunately for me, this book doesn’t quite fit. I have been reading a lot about native plants and rebuilding native ecosystems. I understand the theory and the best plants for different light, soil and moisture. I even know where to buy the greatest selection of native plants. As a novice gardener, what I’m missing is the practical gardening tips and strategies to accomplish this goal. I hoped for a foundation of gardening skills, but I don’t believe I found it with this book. Philosophically, it’s too far off. I have no intention of removing caterpillar “pests” from my plants, deadheading flowers or letting cats roam outside to kill rodent “pests”. I’m trying to restore the ecosystem.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Not the type of book you "finish" but is truly an impressive resource that every gardener should have in their library. This is a constant companion type of resource. It just needs an update to be more current on new organic resources available.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit more information than you'd expect for an encyclopedia, but not enough for it to be your go to source for most complex topics

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book since the 90's and it's served me well as a reference all these years. I still continue to dip into it, even after moving on to the Mittleider method of gardening. It is jam-packed with practical information. It covers vegetable gardening, herbs, fruit trees, some flowers, and it's all written from an organic viewpoint. Presented in encyclopedic format.

[Cristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this from the local library and quickly decided a book like this will need to be owned outright. It is a great source of information on many gardening subjects. It is set up in an encyclopedia style, which would make it a handy go-to reference.

My only complaints are the lack of pictures and diagrams. There are some, but for me at least I like a lot of visual instructions for garden projects. It is also pretty pricy.

This is also not really set up for a beginner gardener like myself. Since it is based on knowing what you want to look up and I am not sure what to look up I did not find it that helpful. But I am sure in the future when I have more experience I will reconsider buying this book.

[Happyreader]

I got my plot at a local community organic veggie garden with planting beginning June 1 so I only have a short time to map out my garden plan. This reference was highly recommended by Jeanne Pinsof Nolan, who runs The Organic Gardener, during a really enjoyable class she taught on organic veggie gardening. Jeanne promises that everything I need to know to successfully grow some tasty organic veggies is in this book. Let's hope for my veggies sake, she's right.

[Tina Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, very informative whether you have just one potted plant or an acre of garden blooming in your backyard. It touches on just about any topic imaginable, including composting, rose care, types of garden pests and how to deter them, and tips on growing flowers, vegetables, and herbs. The information easy to understand and easy to follow. I highly recommend this book, and it would make a great gift for anyone aspiring to have a green thumb.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent resource for organic gardening. The book contains a plethora of information from how best to grow certain fruits, vegetables, and flowers to pruning plants to getting rid of plant diseases and pests.

I got this book from the library, initially, but there was so much helpful information, which can be referenced again and again, that I decided to buy it. It takes a lot for me to buy a book these days.

[Ellee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a terrific reference for the home gardener with at least a little bit on just about everything you'd want to know. I plan to pick up a copy for myself to have on hand since we now have more gardening opportunities. :) I will admit I haven't read every page at this point, but did read the articles on the topics relevant to what we're growing right now.

Highly recommended for all gardeners (especially beginners!).

[HeavyReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend Nate gave me a copy of this book, and I will be eternally grateful. This book is an indespensible reference for any organic gardener, whether that person is growing food or flowers, one tomato plant or an acre of food for the whole neighborhood. This book is AWESOME! Highly recommended.

[Adina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an essential book for anyone with a garden. It tells you everything you need to know, from preparing the soil, to picking plants, to pest control and composting. Everyone should have two copies-- one in their house and one in their garage/cellar/basement/potting shed/wherever they do their gardening.

[erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very accessible entries with straight-forward advice and techniques, this encyclopedia for organic gardening (or, just better gardening practices without heavy fertilizers or pesticides) is a fantastic reference for even the novice gardener.

[Anna]

This has information on everything! Seeds, grafting, compost, pest control, tomatoes! The only thing I have looked for and not found is star fruit! This has been very useful to read, even though I only have a few herbs on my porch.

[Kymalisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes...I am reading this! Never thought I would read an encyclopedia. As we plan for a garden and landscaping for our potential home I want to know we are doing it right the first time.

This book has given me a great way to plan and fills in all of the details...

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another book that I really must buy.

Newly revised and updated, it contains a massive amount of information at 700+ pages.

Worth consulting over and over.

Does tend toward a certain amount of predictable preachiness.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rodale's All New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensable Resource for Every Gardener by Barbara W. Ellis (Rodale Books 1992) (635.0484). This is an overview of the organic principles of gardening and ways to implement them. My rating: 7/10, finished 5/10/2010.

[Kitten Kisser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chock full of useful information! This is probably the only book on gardening you'll ever need! I can't believe how informative this is! It truly is an Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening! Whatever your question or plant you are sure to find it here! This is a must have for any organic gardener!

[Teschia Soumaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read the book as of yet, but I just got this one and loads of other gardening books on Ebay for half the cost. Just wanted to let everyone know. I got this for $4.49. Thank goodness for second hand sales.

[Rev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very in depth and very easy to follow. This book covers just about every plant you could grow in a garden, how to grow it, when to grow it, and even has sections for pests. Definitely needed for my personal library.

[Shaun Hennessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

great comprehensive tool to have around. Great for beginning and current gardeners for a quick reference. addicting.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An awfully useful reference for a nascent gardener like myself.

[Greenthumbr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great reference book. I refer to this book all the time for answers to questions about specific plants.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Use as a refrence book...has a lot of great info.

[JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always reading this for reference material

[Jodith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for any organic gardener. It's been a huge help to me in my own gardening, and will continue to be a valued resource to us as we attempt to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great reference book.