“Soil . . . a world under our feet that we are only now really getting to know and appreciate.” From exploring PH and the rhizosphere to microbes and manure, this handy “series” guide is full of practical questions and solutions from two accomplished Master Gardeners. Well written and organized into four chapters: nitty-gritty, compost, fertilizers and amendments, and mulching. Infused with humour, readers learn soil science and enhanced gardening skills by reading interesting questions: What the heck is humus? What is the soil food web, and why is it important? My compost bin smells awful. How can I fix this? Includes nomenclature for soil terms, a soil jar test, fascinating facts, and soil science (e.g., the symbiotic relationship of soil and what is best to use in it: Used coffee grounds? Eggshells? Banana peels?) Despite the prairie reference, this book is relevant to any student interested in biology, chemistry, or gardening. A must-have for school gardening clubs.

Other End Matter: End Notes, Acknowledgements, About the Series
Images: Colour photographs, Colour illustrations
Bibliography: Yes
Index: Yes

Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools

Janet Melrose is the co-author of the Guides for the Prairie Gardener series. She is a garden educator and consultant, and an advocate for Calgary’s Sustainable Local Food System. She is a life-long gardener and holds a Prairie Horticulture Certificate and Home Farm Horticultural Therapy Certificate. She has a passion for Horticultural Therapy and facilitates numerous programs designed to integrate people marginalized by various disabilities into the larger community. She is a regular contributor to The Gardener for Canadian Climates magazine. She lives in Calgary where she runs her education and consulting company, Calgary’s Cottage Gardener.

Janet Melrose's profile page

Sheryl Normandeau is the co-author of the Guides for the Prairie Gardener series and author of The Little Prairie Book of Berries. A life-long gardener, she holds a Prairie Horticulture Certificate and a Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate and is a freelance writer specializing in gardening writing with hundreds of articles published. She is a regular contributor The Gardener for Canadian Climates, The Prairie Garden Annual, Herb Quarterly, and many more. She lives in Calgary.

Sheryl Normandeau's profile page

Praise for The Prairie Gardener's Go-To Guide for Soil

Honorable Mention at the American Horticultural Society Book Awards

“Written with wit and charm, Janet and Sheryl have given us the comprehensive, gardener-friendly guide to soil science everyone who grows a garden needs to read.” —Daryl Beyers, gardening instructor and author of The New Gardener’s Handbook

Praise for Janet Melrose and Sheryl Normandeau

"The Prairie Gardener's Go-To series comes in mighty yet digestible volumes covering popular topics like seeds, vegetables, and soil. . . Although each guide touches on regionally specific information, the wisdom of these seasoned gardeners applies to any garden, wherever it may be." —Acadia Tucker, author of Growing Perennial Foods

"Whether you’re looking for information on that one tiny pest you just can’t control, or are talking a new gardener through their first planting season, these slim but mighty volumes make great companions at the height of summer in the garden trenches and during cold winter days planning the next season.” —Floral Acres Greenhouse & Garden Centre

"From planning to planting to harvesting vegetables such as onions, lettuce, carrots, celery, beets, corn, legumes, peppers, potatoes, squash and more, this Q & A– style guide covers common questions about cultivation practices, preventing damage from frost, flood, and drought, and harvest and storage." —Prairie Books NOW

"The books are a pleasure just to leaf through, but the accessible writing and level of expertise makes them essential to any gardener’s library... Well-indexed, to help you find solutions to elusive problems. Highly recommended!"—Diane Miessler, Certified Permaculture Designer and author of Grow Your Soil

"Reading the Prairie Gardener's Go-To series is like sitting down with your friendly local master gardener. Delivers practice guidance that will leave you feeling confident and inspired." —Andrea Bellamy, author of Small-Space Vegetable Gardens

“The Prairie Gardener’s Go-To series offers knowledgeable yet accessible answers to questions covering a broad range of topics to help you cultivate garden success. Get growing!” —Lorene Edwards Forkner, gardener, writer, author of Color In and Out of the Garden

"The Prairie Gardener guides offer tips on planning, planting and growing gardens, and troubleshooting pests and diseases." —Calgary Herald

"A great resource for gardeners everywhere." —Quill & Quire

"In a digital world full of general information, their books provide specific knowledge for gardening in climates like Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Plus, everything they write about is based on their own experience." —Helpful Gardeners Podcast

"This book provides detailed cultivation, harvesting and storage tips for the vegetables grown in our region." —Western Producer

"Melrose and Normandeau answer all the questions that the two experts could think of when it came to horticulture on the prairies." —Edify Edmonton

"Helping gardeners across the prairies succeed in growing food, flowers and everything in between." —Medicine Hat News

"Herbs offers highly local advice on how to grow herbs for your kitchen in our climate." —Savour Calgary

"With advice on which native grasses to use—and why—the book gives gardeners both inspiration and knowledge." —Alberta Views

"This go-to paperback addresses many issues of perennial plants that will prove extremely useful to gardeners." —Calgary Horticultural Society

"Advice on container gardens, raised beds, small plots and postage-stamp sized yards, and how to try your hand at vertical gardening." —Garden Making