Book Review: Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening.

When I was looking for good and reliable source of organic gardening information,somebody recommended Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensable Green Resource for Every Gardener Untill today I am very grateful and this is why I am going to review that book for you.

What’s best about this book? Information is not scattered all around in short entries, which makes using it more difficult if you need to dig the subject. What you will really like, all knowledge is practically organized into complete entries that provide information in a style ‘all you need to know about…’.

For example if you need to learn about fig trees, there is everything about it: selecting the trees, planting and care, container culture, pruning and propagation, winter care, problems and harvesting. All in one entry.

Another example. The entry on fruit trees is 13 pages long and covers all most important aspects connected with fruit trees.
I was also very surprised to see in respective sections the lists of vegetables, perennials and trees grouped by the specific environmental conditions they require. This makes the book very easy to use.

The subjects of organic gardening cover the complete information from the food crops to ornamental gardening.

Core entries fall into four categories:
- Gardening techniques: garden design, landscaping, planting, propagation, pruning and training, seed starting, seed saving.
- Organic garden management: animal pests, beneficial insects, compost, cover crops, fertilizers, mulch, pests, plant diseases and disorders, soil.
- Food crops: bramblers, edible landscaping, fruit trees, herbs, nut trees, vegetable gardening.
- Ornamental plants: annuals, biennials, bulbs, groundcovers, perennials, shrubs, trees.

The ratio between the amount of knowledge, tips and the price of the book is surprising. Especially if you think that there is no photos, just pure text. Instead of photos you will find here only few black and white drawings as essential illustration to some entries.

At the end of the book you will find The Glossary, Quick Reference Guide and Index.

My rating: 10 out of 10 stars

This book is one of the best gardening books ever – and for good reason. It’s a must read for those starting a garden or dreaming about English garden.

Get your copy of Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensable Green Resource for Every Gardener Have you read any great gardening books? Give your recommendations with your reasons why in comments below. Looking forward to discovering some great gardening books.

Publisher: Rodale Inc, 2009
Pages: 706
Available here: Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensable Green Resource for Every Gardener
ISBN-13 978-1-59486-916-7