Healthy soil means thriving plants. Yet untangling the soil food web and optimizing your soil health is beyond most gardeners, many of whom lack in-depth knowledge of the soil ecosystem.

Soil Science for Gardeners is an accessible, science-based guide to understanding soil fertility and, in particular, the rhizosphere – the thin layer of liquid and soil surrounding plant roots, so vital to plant health.

Robert Pavlis, a gardener for over four decades, debunks common soil myths, explores the rhizosphere, and provides a personalized soil fertility improvement program in this three-part popular science guidebook. Coverage includes:

• Soil biology and chemistry and how plants and soil interact
• Common soil health problems, including analyzing soil's fertility and plant nutrients
• The creation of a personalized plan for improving your soil fertility, including setting priorities and goals in a cost-effective, realistic time frame.
• Creating the optimal conditions for nature to do the heavy lifting of building soil fertility

Written for the home gardener, market gardener, and micro-farmer, Soil Science for Gardeners is packed with information to help you grow thriving plants.

A practical, visual resource for welding in the farm, home, blacksmith, auto, or school workshops.

Its comprehensive sections describe all the major types of welds before progressing into trickier methods. With this comprehensive guide, you’ll understand everything you need to know, from arc, TIG, MIG, and gas welding to plasma cutting, soldering, welding plastic, and more. Filled with helpful visuals and photography, detailed explanations, expert suggestions, and step-by-step directions, this go-to guide to welding also covers common pitfalls and mistakes, and how to avoid or correct them. The new, updated edition will include brand new chapters on general welding skills and understanding metals, expanded information on abrasives, and four new step-by-step projects and plans, including a fire pit, welding cart, and more.

Your comprehensive handbook to successful welding!

• Learn hands-on welding to start repairing and creating metal equipment and structures
• Over 400 step-by-step photos of welding processes and the differences between good and bad welds
• Detailed sections describing specific types of welds, equipment, common faults, troubleshooting, and more
• All major types of welds are covered, including arc, MIG, gas, TIG, and plasma cutting
• Avoid common mistakes and correct them, with welding problems laid out section by section along with solutions
• Tips and suggestions help beginners improve and intermediate operators broaden their technique
• Go beyond metal with advice that extends into the wider workshop such as on drills, cutting threads, and basic blacksmithing

Plant-based medicines offer many healing possibilities for the body, mind, and spirit. In this holistic guide, naturopath J.J. Pursell provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to medicinal plants, explaining how they work and how to use them safely.

Incorporating traditional wisdom and scientific information, The Herbal Apothecary includes advice on growing and foraging for healing plants, as well as recommendations for plant-based formulations to fight common ailments, such as muscle strain, anxiety, and insomnia. Step-by-step instructions show you how to make your own teas, salves, capsules, tinctures, and other essential herbal remedies. Whether you want to treat a wound or fight the common cold, taking charge of your health and well-being begins here.