I've been working with plants for almost three decades now—gardening with my family, taking some high school classes, and working on both small and large scale vegetable farms, as well as with cannabis. Despite this experience, I often feel overwhelmed and confused about the logistics of organic gardening and soil science. I didn't formally study horticulture or botany, and I mostly used synthetic nutrients throughout my career. I've learned some technical terms like EC, pH, and VPD, but I think if I faced issues like nitrogen deficiency in a plant, I'd be lost without my usual nutrient products. I realize that plants have been thriving for millions of years without our help, so I'm interested in understanding better how to support their natural processes. Could anyone recommend books, podcasts, journals, or any sources where I can truly learn about soil science and organic gardening? I want to grasp the biological interactions at play, especially how microbes relate to plants. Thanks in advance for your help, and happy spring planting!
4 Answers
A few classics to kick off your learning are "The Permaculture Design Manual" by Bill Mollison and "The One Straw Revolution" by Masanobu Fukuoka. They offer great foundational knowledge that has stood the test of time. Another solid pick is "The Intelligent Gardener" by Steve Solomon, which dives deep into soil science. Plus, check out the "Marijuana Garden Saver" for handy tips on identifying deficiencies and resolving issues. These should help broaden your understanding significantly!
If you're into visual learning, definitely check out the build-a-soil channel on YouTube. They've got some really informative discussions about soil that might help you out.
For a scientific approach, I suggest looking at "No Till Growers" on YouTube. Jesse covers a range of topics in organic farming, has a podcast, and also authored a book. It's packed with solid info and a community of market farmers you can engage with. Definitely worth diving into!
Don't forget about Dr. Elaine Ingham; she has a wealth of knowledge about soil health. I heard she’s also premiering some cool online courses soon, which might be right up your alley!
Great shout! Her work is super relevant for anyone looking to really understand soil biology.