Teaming with Microbes: The Organic Gardener's Guide to the Soil Food Web (Revised) by Jeff Lowenfels & Wayne Lewis

"A breakthrough book. No comprehensive horticultural library should be without it." --American Gardener When we use chemical fertilizers, we injure the microbial life that sustains plants, and then become increasingly dependent on an arsenal of toxic substances. Teaming with Microbes offers an alternative to this vicious circle, and details how to garden in a way that strengthens, rather than destroys, the soil food web. You'll discover that healthy soil is teeming with life--not just earthworms and insects, but a staggering multitude of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. This must-have guide is for everyone, from those devoted to organic gardening techniques to weekend gardeners who simply want to grow healthy plants without resorting to chemicals. Table of ContentsPart 1. The Basic ScienceChapter 1. What Is The Soil Food Web and Why Should Gardeners Care?Chapter 2. Classic Soil ScienceChapter 3. BacteriaChapter 4. ArchaeaChapter 5. FungiChapter 6. Algae and Slime MoldsChapter 7. ProtozoaChapter 8. NematodesChapter 9. ArthropodsChapter 10. EarthwormsChapter 11. GastropodsChapter 12. Reptiles, Mammals, and Birds Part 2. Applying Soil Food Web Science to Yard and Garden CareChapter 13. How the Soil Food Web Applies to GardeningChapter 14. What Do Your Soil Food Webs Look Like?Chapter 15. Tools for Restoration and MaintenanceChapter 16. CompostChapter 17. MulchChapter 18. Compost TeasChapter 19. Mycorrhizal FungiChapter 20. The LawnChapter 21. Maintaining Trees, Shrubs, and PerennialsChapter 22. Growing Annuals and VegetablesChapter 23. A Simple Soil Food Web Garden CalendarChapter 24. No One Ever Fertilized an Old Growth ForestAppendix. The Soil Food Web Gardening Rules   Review Quotes: "A breakthrough book. . . . well worth owning and reading. No comprehensive horticultural library should be without it." --American Gardener "Digs into soil in a most enlightening and entertaining way." -- Dallas Morning News "Required reading for all serious gardeners." -- Miami Herald "The authors have given gardeners an inside scoop on the scientific research supporting organic gardening." -- Pacific Horticulture "This intense little book may well change the way you garden." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch "Exceptional. . . . A brief, clear overview of scientific information with which every gardener should be familiar." -- Monterey Herald   Jeff Lowenfels is the author several of award-winning books on plants and soil, and he is the longest running garden columnist in North America. Lowenfels is a national lecturer as well as a fellow, hall of fame member, and former president of the Garden Writers of America. Wayne Lewis is a lifelong Alaskan gardener. He has worked with Jeff Lowenfels on many projects over the past 25 years, including the now national Plant a Row for the Hungry program, which encourages gardeners to donate a portion of their harvest to charitable organizations in their community.   Timber Press Pub Date: February 24, 2010 1.0" H x 9.25" L x 6.25" W 220 pages hardcover