Growing Plants

Scarce, out of print, classic study celebrated by the organic gardening and farming movement. Argues that there is a link between depletion of soil nutrients from over-reliance on chemical fertilizers and the healthiness of the food grown on depleted land. As the author explains it in the Preface:

“The earth’s green carpet is the sole source of the food consumed by livestock and mankind. . . . The consequence of abusing one of our greatest possessions is disease. This is the punishment meted out by Mother Earth for adopting methods of agriculture which are not in accordance with Nature’s law of return. We can begin to reverse this adverse verdict and transform disease into health by the proper use of the green carpet—by the faithful return to the soil of all available vegetable, animal, and human wastes.

“The purpose of this book is threefold: to emphasize the importance of solar energy and the vegetable kingdom in human affairs; to record my own observations and reflections, which have accumulated during some forty-five years, on the occurrence and prevention of disease; to establish the thesis that most of this disease can be traced to an impoverished soil, which then leads to imperfectly synthesized protein in the green leaf and finally to the breakdown of those protective arrangements which Nature has designed for us.”

Condition: Cover worn at edges and spine, lightly wrinkled and spotted on face. First dozen or so pages with light vertical creases, owner name at top of first page. Pages otherwise unmarked. A few pages with short (up to quarter-inch long) tears, many corner tips with light creases.

Published by Rodale Books, Inc., reprint of 1947 Devin-Adair Company edition (probably printed in the ‘70s, though this is not stated). 307 pages., about 5 x 8½ inches, paperback. Used, one copy only.

Out of print work whose purpose “is to emphasize the merits of native Arizona plants and to encourage their use for site beautification, soil stabilization, and water conservation.” Covers 300 important species of trees, shrubs, cacti, forbs, grasses, and grasslike plants, lists them by both common and scientific names, and has them arranged by vegetation types. The book gives recommendations for collecting and planting seeds, transplanting, landscaping, and maintaining them and briefly describes each. Includes 65 black and white photographs of vegetation regions and typical plants, plus a glossary and index.

The photographs are generally quite good, but sometimes give only the general idea of the form of the plant due to the limitations of capturing this in black and white only. Since it covers the entire state, which is extremely diverse, most plants recommended for the deserts are not suitable for those landscaping in the highlands, and vice versa.

Condition: Cover with light wear at corners and spine, prior owner name printed on top edge and name, date, and location at top of first page. Pages otherwise clean and unmarked. Binding tight.

“Commonly, we think of soil as just a medium to walk above or build upon. If we had the ability to shrink ourselves to the size of a soil particle, we would be amazed at the vibrant life and ever-changing interactions taking place all around us. The activity, physical changes and diverse life forms would overwhelm the senses. Soil moisture fuels this activity. . . .”

This book “is a culmination of the author’s extensive interest in soil and water interactions, soil remediation, land application of treated wastes, conservation, air, soil, and water quality issues, and an overall appreciation for improvement for the quality of life.”

“Awareness of the players in the soil-water-plant continuum aids in understanding the processes that either reduce or conserve soil moisture. The dry climate of the American Southwest demands this understanding to ensure that waters which may have taken hundreds to thousands to millions of years to amass are not wiped out in the span of a generation.”

A reprint of the 1959 classic, with no significant changes. It covers the whole field of horticulture in the US from the point of view of the grower who wishes to enrich the soil and stay away from synthetic chemicals. Covers more than 1490 topics in these major subjects: Flower Garden, Vegetable Garden, Soils, Fruits and Nuts, Composting, Homesteading, Greenhouse Gardening, Lawns and Landscaping, and much more, including hundreds of entries and particular plants. A thick volume, weighing over three pounds, and containing over 300 illustrations.

Published by Rodale Books, 1999 reprint (originally published 1959). 1145 pages., about 5-3/4 x 8-3/4 inches, hardcover. New, bargain remainder, may have light smudges on edges.

“Clear and detailed instructions for gardening organically in a semi-arid climate. Using New Mexico as an example, he gives full directions for raising everything from asparagus to zucchini; shows how depressed bed planting protects plants and conserves moisture; and includes instructions about a labor-saving method of soil cultivation.”

Topics covered include tools, planning, fertilizers and composts, soil preparation, cold frames, seeds, starting plants in flats, transplanting, mulching, irrigation, weeding, pests, adverse weather, and selling produce. About half of the book covers the culture of specific crops. Each crop entry, covering about ½ to 2 pages, includes notes on when and where to plant, what varieties, soil preparation and planting details, culture of growing plants, pests, and harvest, storage, and cleanup.

“A comprehensive gardening book with emphasis on growing vegetables. The author seeks to help the high desert dweller cope with the problems of raising plants in a dry land. From practical experience, she learned that her familiar East Coast gardening techniques were not suitable to the high country so she developed the special methods given in this book.

“In addition to vegetables, Ms. Weinberg discusses various aspects of fruit tree culture in the high desert and drought-tolerant perennials, shrubs and trees. A special chapter on common garden pests tells how to control them without the use of commercial pesticides.”

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