Soil Science for Beginners: The Vegetable Gardener’s Guide to Soil Health – 9 Steps to Stellar Soil for Traditional, No-Till, Raised Bed and Container Gardens

I am very pleased with the quality of information in the book, and it is an excellent overview of soil health and practical gardening advice. That said, if you have a scientific background or otherwise enjoy a good Wikipedia deep dive you might find it a bit lacking in depth. It is as marketed - for beginners. So to those reading who feel apprehensive over the use of the word "science" in the title, you need not be afraid. Bray does an excellent job of making complex information accessible to any audience. However, if you are a keen reader or are interested in science, you might find yourself wanting more.

Another great book by Richard Bray, must admit I am still reading it. But I have picked up so many different bits not know before. Most of my vegetable growing is done via hydroponics but something’s are just better in the ground. I am jumping from section to section on the parts that can help me at the moment. Mulching is a great one and although I knew some bits going into this much depth really help me understand why I have gone wrong in other years. Soil testing is another subject that although Richard has gone into great depth about this , maybe too much for me i find the way he writes I can easily pick what I need for my circumstances. I look forward to learning more as I read and can’t wait to put everything into practice.

“Soil Science” by Richard Bray is an in-depth primer on soil fertility and the different methods of diagnosing and improving your soil, whether that be via laboratory tests or “old timer” methods, and the products you can use (both commercial and organic) to bring your garden soil back into whack. While soil biochemistry is complex, Bray teaches the topic in a colloquial manner, with simple, down-to-earth language that an average gardener can understand without a Ph.D. The topics are helped along by a generous number of illustrations, charts, and other media to help you visualize what might otherwise be a dry topic, but at no point does the author “talk down” to the reader.Bray then explains different ways to improve your soil, both organic and commercial products, as well as ways to improve the lesser-known micronutrients, nurture helpful bio-organisms and insects, and deal with plant diseases and pests. He also discusses the costs vs. benefits of conventional vs. organic methods, without becoming preachy about either method so you can make your own decisions based on your personal preferences, time constraints and budget.It's like your grandpa took you out into your back yard, pointed out your poor, sad tomatoes and slug-eaten cabbages, and then showed you how to fix the problem over a cup of sweet tea. I would say this book is geared for an advanced-beginner to intermediate gardener, especially growers who have successfully experimented with a small garden or container-planting, but begun the experience the frustrations of some plants not doing that well or a crop-loss due to insects. However, if you're a total "noob" but enjoyed middle school biology, this book is easy to understand and put into use.I recommend this book be added to your gardening "how to" library and be referred to every spring (before you plant) and autumn (when you put your garden to sleep).

Every time I tried planting something it dies. I always wanted to try farming/gardening but nothing ever grows. I finally just shrugged it off by saying "I don't have a green thumb".A few years ago, I came across hydroponics and tried it out. I was amazed that my plants (varieties of lettuce and tomatoes) all grew very well. Later I also tried aquaponics and it did very well too. However, being a businessman, I thought to myself - Hydro and aquaponics are both great ways to grow food/plants either as a hobby or a business BUT for certain crops (for either human or livestock consumption), these methods are simply not feasible and it's best grown on SOIL.Here's where the difference comes in... It's not that I don't have a green thumb, it's simply that I lacked knowledge. I didn't know the DIFFERENCE between SOIL and DIRT. Of course for soil to give life to plants that gives life (food) to us and animals, the SOIL MUST BE ALIVE.All my questions have been answered in this book alone! In a very clear, to the point, complete yet easy to read manner, the Author, Richard Bray delivers everything you need to know about soil. Now it has become so clear to me where I was going wrong in the past. This book has shed light on everything I was confused about. Having now some experience with hydroponics and NOW also knowing about SOIL and its own LIFE, I am super eager to get my hands dirty again. Kudos and thanks for the guide Richard Bray.

I gave Richard Bray’s book Soil Science for Beginners 5 stars because while reading it I keep thinking I wish I had read it over fifty years ago when I started out in gardening. It also is a great book to refresh your knowledge about gardening practices if you are a long time gardener. I liked that he presented each subject to the point and easy to understand. Even though I am a long time gardener I found a lot of information I had either forgotten or had not been exposed too. I have read several books on the importance of soil structure and adding compost to your garden over the years, Richard was able to present these complex subjects in a simple and understandable way. If you are a new gardener or a person who has gardened for years I recommend Richard’s book. I have read several of Richard’s other books and found them helpful and informative.

This book did an excellent job explaining the importance of soil and how to manage it. Easy read and easy to understand. A very helpful resource for anyone who loves plants.

This is a great resource that I wish I had several years ago. I had heard about companion planting, but hadn't tried it until this year. I planted basil with the tomatoes. I ended up with more basil than I could possibly use. Lots of pesto in the freezer, and I also had plenty to give away. I'll definitely try some of the other companion plantings identified in the book. I was also aware that certain vegetables need to be rotated around the garden. It turns out that all plants should be rotated. I planted my tomato plants in the same area as last year, which resulted in poor production of tomatoes. After reading this book, now I know why. The tomatoes will be planted in a different area next year. I'll also be moving the other vegetables around the garden. If you are new to gardening, I'd highly recommend reading this book.