Indoor Gardening the Organic Way

April 1, 2007
These four books teach gardeners how to use natural methods to grow plants. The most unique offering helps us go organic with houseplants. While writing the "San Francisco Chronicle"'s "Gardener Within" column, Bawden Davis began experimenting with organic methods for growing and maintaining houseplants. Now, a decade later, she shares her success and knowledge of chemical-free houseplant selection, care, and propagation. A particularly nice section covers the bane of houseplant loverspests and diseases. Highly recommended for public libraries.

Books on growing organic vegetables and fruits are becoming commonplace, but readers will enjoy both of Cuthbertson's ("Beginner's Guide to Herb Gardening") wonderfully illustrated (200-plus color photos) titles, in which she shares natural methods relevant to situating gardens and to using season extenders such as greenhouses, which she describes in some detail. The A-to-Z plant directories thoroughly explain preferences and include plants excluded from many other books (e.g., her vegetable directory contains "salsify," "celeriac," and "watercress"; the fruit book, "medlars"). Nicely complementing Patrick Lima's personality-filled "The Organic Home Garden: How To Grow Fruits & Vegetables Naturally", Cuthbertson's inexpensive books are worthwhile. Recommended.

Oster and Walliser (cohosts, "The Organic Gardeners" radio show, Pittsburgh) address growing organic flowers, vegetables, and lawns. They begin with guiding principles, including easy steps on how to transition to natural methods, and they explain soil management, composting, companion planting, and natural-pest regulation. In neighborly, tell-all sidebars, they share charming personal gardening experiences from which readers can learn. Each chapter has a "Quick Tips" section that offers some 250 ideas. With its 25 color photographs, glossary, and index (unseen), this could be a nice resource for public libraries needing an updated work appropriate for many skill levels. Recommended.Bonnie Poquette, Milwaukee

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