Conservation Watch, A publication of the Garden Club of America
Noah’s Garden, Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Backyards, Sara Bonnett Stein (Houghton Mifflin Co. 1993). Explains a wonderful – entirely pesticide-free – approach to gardening. Designated by the American Horticultural Society as one of its “75 Great American Garden Books.” Ms. Stein’s follow-up work, Planting Noah’s Garden: Further Adventures in Backyard Ecology (Houghton Mifflin Co. 1997), is also worthwhile.
Prodigal Summer, Barbara Kingsolver (Harper Perennial 2001). Recommended by Claire Caudill as a great story and a great overview of the delicacy and importance of each and every ecosystem. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, “A blend of breathtaking artistry, encyclopedic knowledge of the natural world . . . and ardent commitment to the supremacy of nature.”
How to Become an Organic Gardener in Seven Easy Steps, Judy Barnett (Earthly Delights 1996). A succinct and very helpful guide to organic gardening. Recommended by Clare Bruce.
The Future of Life, Edward O. Wilson (Knopf 2002). Fascinating insight by one of the country’s preeminent biologists. According to BOOK Magazine, “An inspiring exhortation and a realistic blueprint [for] saving species and ecosystems in ways that generate, rather than impede, economic growth.”
Habitat Gardening for Houston and Southeast Texas, Mark Bowen with Mary Bowen (River Bend Publishing Co. 1998). Based on years and years of experience with organic gardening in Houston. Wonderful resource.
Organic Gardening for Dummies, Ann Whitman (IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. 2001). Part of the well-known and popular “Dummies” series of “how to” books, its neat, easy to follow format conveys loads of information for experts and “dummies” alike!
Tiny Green Thumbs, C.Z. Guest (Hyperion Books for Children 2000). Charming, charming book with fun gardening ideas to share and implement with children, grandchildren or just anyone who remains young at heart and loves gardening.
Holdfast, at Home in the Natural World, Kathleen Dean Moore (The Lyon’s Press 1999). Beautiful essays on our special relationship to the natural world.
Year-Round Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers for Metro Houston, Dr. Bob Randall (available through Urban Harvest). Very thorough, very concise, and very specific to the Houston area. It’s been said that if you buy only one book on organic gardening in Houston this is the book to buy.