Please browse through the library below! Learn organic methods for how to deal with common pests and diseases to better care for your garden. Browse through pages of beautiful colour photos and intriguing stories of familiar and unfamiliar plants. Explore new hobbies such as keeping bees, preserving food, and how to convert your urine into liquid gold.
Beneficial Organisms
Associated with Pacific Northwest Crops Extension Depts: Washington, Idaho, Oregon. This book is bursting with excellent photos for quick identification of the various insects in your garden! 8 pages.
From
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$ 3.79 CA
Building Soils for Better Crops
by Fred Magdoff & Harold van Es "To use the land without abusing it" sums this book up. Put out by the sustainable Agriculture Network, this is a practical guide to ecological soil management meant for farmers, advisors to farmers, students, and those who want to learn more about soil management. It covers the basics of soil organic matter (humus), its physical properties, and nutrient cycles and flows. The second section is about how you manage the soils - how to use manure, cover crops, crop rotations, composts, preventing compaction, tillage, management of nitrogen and phosphorous and getting the most out of soil tests. Includes farm profiles from the U.S. 230 pages
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$ 29.95 CA
Carrots Love Tomatoes
by Louise Riotte
A gardening classic for gardeners who prefer pest resistance planning to chemicals, this book covers how to use herbal sprays to control insects, starting small plots, window box gardens, and more. A practical book for every gardene rof edibles. 224 pages.
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$ 14.95 CA
Chickens in Your Backyard
by Rick & Gail Luttmann Your backyard can be the source of the best eggs and meat you've ever tasted. The answer is chickens - endearing birds that require but a modest outlay of time, space, and food. Throughout the book, the Luttmanns express their wonder at the personalities of chickens - the role of the roosters and the instinctive motherliness of the hens. Chickens provide backyard farmers with an enjoyable pastime as well as a supply of good food. 150 pages.
From
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$ 11.95 CA
Companion Planting Chart
developed by the school of Agriculture at Mcdonald College, Quebec
This is one of the most exciting aspects of organic farming. Taking into account positive and negative interactions between vegetables, companion planting is achieved by arranging plants to encourage growth, improve quality, or repel potential pests. This large chart will be a very useful reference tool for market and home gardeners alike.
From
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$ 8.25 CA
Figs, Dates, Laurel and Myrrh
by John Bede Harrison This book celebrates the plants of the Old and New Testament, including the Apocrypha and the Ouaran. From acacia, (the wood of the tabernacle) to worm-wood (whose bitter leaves cured intestinal worms) 81 fascinating chapters cover every plant that has a true botanical counterpart and tell the stories of the fruits and grains, grasses and trees, flowers and fragrances of ancient lore. The descriptions include the plants' botanical characteritics, habitat, uses and literary context. With evocative quotations and revelatory interpretations, this information is all the more critical today as the traditional agrarian societies that intimately knew the plants become urbanized. 336 pages.
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$ 24.95 CA
Food Plants of the World
by Ben Erik Van Wyk
The globalization of the food supply has led to an increased inerest in different types of food. Written by a botany professor in language accessible to the general reader, this photographic guide is intended to be used by nutritionists, gardeners, ethnobotanists, culinary professionals, and food enthusiasts. The core of the volume is an encyclopedia description of about 350 food and flavor plants. 480 pages.
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$ 39.95 CA
Food to Live By
By Myra Goodman
Organic food is synonymous with premium quality; the deepest, richest taste; conscientious farming; and optimum health. It's what we need to feed our kids and what we deserve to feed ourselves. And no one is doing more to popularize organic food that Myra Goodman, co-owner of Earthbound Farm, the world's largest grower and purveyor of organic produce. In a dazzling full-color cookbook, Myra Goodman offers an utterly appealing, new casual style of cooking based on using the best ingredients, organic or otherwise. The dishes are irresistible: Sweet Corn Chowder. Spinach, Feta and Mushroom Quiche/ Foggy Day Chili. Merlot-Braised Short Ribs with Cipollini Onions. Blue Cheese Smashed Potatoes. Coconut Lemongrass Sorbet. Cherry Panna Cotta. Farm Stand Carrot Cake. Includes cooking and shopping tips, and health notes. 402 pages.
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$ 24.95 CA
Four Season Harvest
by Eliot Coleman In this newly revised version (1999) of a classic, Eliot Colemaan's winter gardening concept is described in more detail. He writes from the perspective of a market grower in Maine whose season begins as other growers finish theirs. In that harsh winter climate, an early start and a long harvest are possible using cold frames and poly tunnels. 234 pages
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$ 34.95 CA
Fresh
by John Bishop and Gary King
Fresh stresses the importance and beauty of sound relationships between farmer and cook; relationships that embrace sustainability and encourage the growth of a local food culture. In luminous words and photos, a great chef becomes a pilgrim of the landscape in which he lives. 194 pages.
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$ 34.95 CA
From Seed to Bloom
by Eileen Powell Plant by plant this book is a one-stop reference containing everything you need to know in order to germinate and grow more than 500 genera of flowering plants. Each plant entry includes essential information such as hardiness zones, directions for sowing seeds indoors and out, spacing, germination time and culture. 300 pages.
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$ 25.95 CA
Gardening When It Counts: A Post-Carbon Manual
by Steve Solomon
Home gardening done in North America before cheap oil brought pesticides, fertilizers, hoses and power tools required low input, less or no irrigation, and only hand tools to grow a highly productive food garden with minimum of expense. Designed for readers with no experience and based on Steve's observations and practice of his own garden for many years, Steve shows how, by putting plants further apart, you can enormously reduce the need to water the garden and simultaneosly prevent yield of fruiting crops like squash and tomotoes from petering out early. This book is for someone planning a big garden and intending to grow as much of the family's food as possible using hand tools. A "must read for the serious kitche gardener. 360 pages.
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$ 23.95 CA
Garlic, Onion, and Other Alliums
by Ellen Spector Platt
Learn all about the alliums - onions, garlic, leeks, chives and other flavourful and decorative plants - in this informative full-colour guidebook that includes garden crafts and recipes. 150 pages.
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$ 23.95 CA
Grow Vegetables
by Alan Buckingham This colourful and delightful book is filled with great ideas for growing vegetables in your garden, on your balcony, and container gardening on your roof terrace. This full-colour book is a wonderful gift for growers of food! 300 pages.
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$ 24.95 CA
Growing Food Organically
by John Bede Harrison Mr. Harrison honed his concepts of organic growing for 50 years on his 80-acre orgainc farm, Mylora, in Richmond B.C. His book reflects a deep concern for healthy, sustainable agriculture that begins with a vibrant, living soil. A real classic of organic agriculture. 138 pages.
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$ 11.95 CA
Growing Great Garlic
by Ron L. Engeland
Fifteen years of prganic farming experience has enabled Ron to write a most comprehensive book on growing garlic. He discusses everything from the history of modern garlic types to correct planting procedures and pest control. 213 pages.
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$ 15.95 CA
Growing Vegetables
by Steve Solomon The best book to start with if you are new to West Coast gardening, Steve Solomon takes you through an understanding the soil here in the West to the best ways to start seeds in the overcast weather of our springs. He offers detailed information about all the vegetables we grow, and much more. 228 pages.
From
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$ 23.95 CA
Guerrilla Gardening
by David Tracey
A Manualfesto. The term "guerilla" may bring to mind a small band of armed soldiers, moving the dead of night on a stealth mission. In the case of guerrilla gardening, the soldiers are planters, the weapons are shovels, and the mission is to transforman an abandoned lot into a thing of beauty. Modern-day Johnny Appleseeds (guerrilla gardeners) perform random acts of gardening, often without the property owners' prior knowledge or permission. The concept is simple, and whimsical with the cheeky appeal of being a not-quite-legal call to action. Dig in some soil, plant a few seeds, or mend a sagging fence. Social activists, city dwellers and long-time gardeners will delight in this fast-paced and funny call to arms. 236 pages.
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$ 23.95 CA
Herbs: The Complete Gardeners Guide
by Patrick Lima This guid is delightfully written with exquisite photos and covers all sorts of plants: alliums, salad greens, flowers, roses, even sprouts. 222 pages.
From
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$ 34.95 CA
How to Save Your Own Vegetable Seeds
by Diane Joubert & Bob Wildfong By Seeds of Diversity, Canada's heritage seed-saving program. This manual offers basic seed saving techniques for vegetables in an easy-to-follow format. It also provides accurate information on the basic seed saving techniques for vegetables. 33 pages.
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$ 12.00 CA
Keeping the Harvest
By Nancy Chioffi A classic book, completely updated. Gardeners who preserve their harvest can enjoy fresh, safe, and tasty produce throughout the year. This book covers techniques of canning, freezing, traditional and microwave drying, pickling, and making jams and jellies; as well as notes on specific fruits and vegetables. 194 pages
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$ 21.50 CA
Lasagna Gardening
By Patricia Lanza This delicious-sounding book goes over the basics of a non-traditional method of gardening that is not only organic, earth friendly, and incredibly easy, but will enable you to accomplish more, in less time, with less work. Patricia Lanza explains how to use a system of layered mulch materials - including newspaper, leaves, and grass clippings - to provide a nutrient-base for healthy gardens and robust flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Garden Writers award winner. 180 pages
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$ 19.95 CA
Liquid Gold
by Carol Steinfeld Every day, we urinate nutrients that can fertilize plants that could be used for beautiful landscapes, food, fuel and fiber. Instead, these nutrients are flushed away and treated at high cost; or they are discharged to waters where they overfertilize and choke off aquatic life. Learn how to turn your waste strem into liquid gold. 95 pages.
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$ 14.95 CA
Natural Beekeeping Organic Approaches to Modern Agriculture
by Ross Conrad Beekeepers today face new challenges in keeping bees alive and healthy but until now there has been no holistic orientation in beekeeping. Ross Conrad offers up an alternative to chemical practices and delivers a program of natural hive management that produces naturally resistant, healthier hives. Both novices and neo-pros will receive tips on everything from genetics and breeding to pests and harvesting. 240 pages.
From
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$ 34.95 CA
Preserving Summer Bounty
by Susan McClure A quick and easy guide to freezing, canning, and preserving and drying. What do you do with all the cauliflower that appeared suddenly? Freeze it, with the information in this very good book. Recipes and really easy-to-follow instructions bring back the almost lost skills of food saving. 372 pages.
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$ 28.95 CA
Rodale's All New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening
As the subtitle suggests. this is the indespensible resource for every gardener. This book (an updated version of Rodales Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, 1959) is a basic reference for everyone, not only for organic gardeners. As integrated pest management becomes more important, for instance, the methods and products that have been known to organic gardeners for decades are now being investigated and appreciated by the mainstream. Composting, xeriscaping, premaculture, enviroment are covered as well as 400 plus topics in informative and complete entries.
From
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$ 24.95 CA
Rodales Illustrated Encylopedia of Herbs
by Claire Kowalchik & William H. Hylton This is a virtually endless source of useful information and herbal know-how. Presented in A to Z format and supplemented with easy to use charts and lists, it is also beautifully illustrated with drawings and colour photographs. It is the only book on herbs you ever need to buy. 543 pages
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$ 26.95 CA
Rodales Vegetable Garden Problem Solver
by Fern Marshall Bradley This encyclopedic collection of gardening advice is purely organic, albeit with a no-nonsense, 21st-century attitide. Extensive attention is given to cover cropping and dealing with deer damage. The vegetable entries are equally comprehensive with sections detailing "Crop Basics", "Secrets of success", "Preventing Problems", "Regional Notes", and "Troubleshooting Problems". Drawings of pest-infested plants are helpful. Helpful information is given on timed planting to crop rotation, barriers to repellants, and wise advice regarding prevention as the first tactic and using (organic) insecticides as a last resort.
This attractive book is extensively illustrated with attractive drawings, although the choice of what it describes is sometimes mysterious. For any gardener who needs to keep track of "crucial care" for squash, how to control cucumber beetles with a vaccuum cleaner or any of the myriad details that arise every day in the garden, this book is a must. 471 pages.
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$ 23.95 CA
Seed to Seed
by Suzanne Ashworth Extensive information on how to save your own seed. This is a timely book, as older heirloom varieties are becoming more and more diffucult to find. This is a great handbook for both beginners and experienced gardeners looking to prepetuate their favorite open-pollinated varieties. Describes the plant species and culture in detail. 222 pages.
From
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$ 32.50 CA
Sell What You Sow!
by Eric Gibson A must for small-scale farm marketing! This guide provides practical and useful details about pricing, signage, display, promotion, and targeting high-end niche markets. The straight-forward and informative text shares the experience of some of the most innovative people in the field. 304 pages.
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$ 29.95 CA
Square Foot Gardening
by Mel Bartholomew In print for many years, this is still one of the best guides for beginning gardeners wondering, "where do I begin?". Its focus is on planting a defined area with just the right of plants you need and then planting again! And again! Using vertical space is one of the secrets. Planting the right number of seeds is the other. 350 pages
From
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$ 26.55 CA
Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Terms
by William T. Stearn
This dictionary gives the meaning and origin of some 6000 botanical names, selecting those most likely to be encountered by gardeners and horticulturists. No other single source provides so much down-to-earth information for the gardener. Also listed are 3000 of the most widely accepted vernacular names, cross-indexed to their correct scientific names. Each of these dictionary sections is prefaced by an informative and entertaining introduction. Plant classification and binomial nomenclature are explained, and there are notes on structure and pronounciation of botanical Latin. Extensive bibliographies direct the reader to further sources. 363 pages.
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$ 23.95 CA
The Flower Farmer
by Lynn Byczynski An Organic Grower's guide to raising and selling cut flowers. This book covers flower growing basics, grower profiles, harvest handling, flower arranging and dried flowers, and marketing options. 207 pages
From
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$ 32.50 CA
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perennials 10th Edition
by Ellen Phillips & Colston Burrell At last a book that covers it all: Perennial design, plant combinations, cultural requirements, and maintenance needs. This useful resource is sprinkled with wonderful tips, lists and, words of wisdom throughout. Whether you are a beginner or a professional or a weekend gardener, Ellen and Cole's book is just what you have been waiting for. Full colour photos are supplemented with illustrations. 685 pages.
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$ 29.95 CA
The Organic Gardener's Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control
by Barbara W. Ellis and Fern M.Bradely This book has terrific photos and text that help identify, prevent, and cure plant problems. This thorough and easy-to-understand book will make you the organic pest management expert in your neighbourhood. Good for both home and market gardeners. 534 pages.
From
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$ 29.95 CA
The Post- Petroleum Survival Guide and Cookbook
By Albert Bates
This book is all about having your catastrophe and eating too! Albert Bates presents a refreshingly positive, upbeat and optimistic view of "the great change". Topics covered include: rebuilding civilization, changing your needs, water and waste disposal, energy and transportation, Equipment and Tools, Food Storage and First Aid. There are also some light-hearted, playful recipes included. 237 pages.
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$ 22.95 CA
The Pruner's Bible
by Steve Bradley Learn how to prune more than 70 of the most popular landscape plants to get the best display of flowers, foilage, colourful stems, and fruit. This plant-by-plant guide features instructions so simple that even beginning gardeners will feel confident about making the right cuts the very first time they prune. Unlike every other book on the subject, the Pruners Bible illustrates each plant indivdually, ending the frustration of having to adapt a technique from one plant to another. 220 pages.
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$ 29.95 CA
The Soul of the Soil
by Joe Smillie & Grace Gershuny A soil building guide for master gardeners and farmers. This is a sensible, well focused, and highly readable handbok that provides essential information on the creation and care of our most precious resource - our soil. At a time when the importance of organic certification is becoming widely reconized (and hotly debated), this new edition, a classic work of practically and inspiration, is more relevant that ever. 173 pages
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$ 28.95 CA
The Sprout Garden: Indoor Growers Guide to Gourmet Sprouts
by Mark M. Braunstein Aspiring sprout gardeners, this is a thorough how-to manual for all the seeds that can be sprouted for fresh eating. Read anad enjoy the teeming greenery beside your sink! See the Sprouts Section to take a look at our Kit
