by Nigel Palmer, 208 pages, 6x9, softcover. Science nerds, rejoice: this book dives deep into the chemical and biological workings of your garden soil! With an introduction to the relationship between plant, soil, and the various minerals and microorganisms in the soil, Palmer discusses how growers can use local materials to improve pest and disease resistance, yields and nutrient density. He details the concepts, strategies and tools for nourishing the soil and provides about a dozen step-by-step recipes—complete with pictures—for creating amendments yourself. There’s lots of chemistry, some math too, but the recipes are simple enough for a layperson to follow. -Jaye Dos Santos
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