Back to Basics: Traditional Garden Wisdom: Time-Tested Tips and Techniques for Creating a Natural, Sustainable Outdoor Space

by Charlie Ryrie, Angie Halpern

"When your garden contains lots of earthworms, your soil is good." This maxim may not sound familiar, but before the days of landscapers and lawn-maintenance companies, this type of knowledge was common. Gardening skills were passed down from generation to generation, and yards were personal places that flourished under the care of time-tested wisdom. Today the pace of life is faster, and modern advances make gardening tasks easier, but we can all benefit from the techniques and common-sense advice of the past to have beautiful, fruitful gardens now.
With Back to Traditional Garden Wisdom , anyone
Develop a dream, green garden without spending a fortune Grow an organic and eco-friendly garden with minimum fuss and maximum taste Discover how to collect and save seeds Make your own compost and learn "no-dig" gardening Make a cold frame and protect plants from frost Repel moles with castor oil, prevent mice with the right plants, and make herbal insect repellents Find out the best way to prune a hedge, tree, or climbing flower Know which gardening tasks to do for each season Raise a panel fence and use recycled materials for landscaping Plant raised beds and container gardens, and build a natural grape arbor Discover how companion planting can discourage harmful pests and encourage growth

Back to Traditional Garden Wisdom has full-color step-by-step illustrated instructions that will bring new knowledge to gardeners of all levels. Soon you'll be adding fireplace ashes to the garden to give it a potassium boost and using your elbow to see if the soil is warm enough for planting. With this insightful book, you'll discover why sage advice never goes out of style.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Nature

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Jacquline Ard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a basics type of book, regarding gardening. It is up to date, yet it does mention a lot of traditional methods. It's not in-depth, but it does cover a bit of everything. I am definitely a beginner. I have only done gardening for two summers, and I actually didn't try this year. I don't just want to learn from my own mistakes--I need to prevent problems. Additionally, I refuse to use pesticides and any chemical growth products. This book does not recommend them and offers other solutions. There is a reason why words like "basics" and "traditional" are in the title. Eventually, I will move on to a more knowledgeable book.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for someone who did not grow up in a gardening family. It has great general gardening information. With some specifics on choosing plants. But this is not the book for people who already know the basics.

[Sébastien · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good intro for bureaucrats, accountants, or other people who have indoor careers that involve lots of paperwork. I was hoping for more of the traditional gardening wisdom and tricks from this book. Not what I was looking for but excellent intro.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish this book had more tips for a vegetable garden. There was only a very small chapter about starting your own vegetable garden. The book was for beginners to all types of gardening.

[Kimberly Bogelund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love this book! Like reading your grandma's and aunt's patient gardening advice. Simply laid out and easy to read. Exactly what I was looking for.

[J.T.K. Gibbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good reference book I'll go back to for years to come.