Secrets to Great Soil

by Elizabeth Stell

Good soil leads to thriving gardens, and it's easy to create! Elizabeth Snell shows you how to properly use composted plant materials and animal manure to make soil that is perfectly suited to your growing goals. She provides all the information you need to give your garden a healthy foundation of rich, nutrient-filled soil that will ensure bountiful harvests and beautiful plants. 

Genres: Gardening, Agriculture, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 1998

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the books that I've looked at (so far) about soil, this is the most usable. It's older than some of the others I've examined, but Ms. Stell doesn't seem determined to convince you how knowledgeable she is about soil. She seems to want to help idiots like me improve what they have.

[Matt Shuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of great information for improving soil for gardening needs. Has very detailed charts with regionally specific info for crop growing, composting, cover crops, etx. in the US. Highly recommend!!

[Gwenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

very easy to read and understand - full of useful information

[Jamesjohn Jamesjohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent gardening reference. Well-organized with lots of illustrations and focus boxes. Covers many basic aspects gardening besides just soil.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a six week course in gardening and this book supports everything in the course. Presented in an easy to understand format, this book can help anyone reverse poor soil and gain the ability to have an abundant garden.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secrets to Great Soil by Elizabeth Stell (Storey Publishing 1998)(631.4). The author provides instruction on how to make great backyard compost and fertilizers. There is a great simple pH soil test on p. 155. My rating: 7/10, finished 2/2010.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you even think you have soil that's possibly less than ideal, you should get this book. It covers every possible kind of soil you could have -- sodic, clayey, sandy, poorly draining, whatever -- and gives you advice on how to improve it.

[Barbara]

Following our construction project, the soil really needs alot of improvement. Gearing up now so I'll be ready when the thaw arrives.

[Jo]

gave some great tips for starting a compost pile and reinvigorating the soil

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this book really focused on how to build your soil up for the best growing medium. Lots of great info.

[Sébastien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is organized in a practical way. It's good to see info on green manure & cover crops.