The next best thing to having someone show you, hands on, how to do something is to read how to do it in a book. That can often be a challenge since some books don’t deliver the goods. The Truth About Organic Gardening: Benefits, Drawbacks, and the Bottom Line by Jeff Gillman is one of the good ones! Jeff gets right to the point as he explains simple concepts and more scientific, complex concepts in an easy to understand language. His explanations of the complexities of fertilizers, weed control, pesticides and common organic practices is very well written. He breaks down all the topics into “Benefits,” “Drawbacks,” and “The Bottom Line,” and makes it simple to locate quick answers. Jeff also dedicates some time to ‘organic foods’ and delves into what’s ‘natural’ and how that doesn’t always mean ‘safe’ for our environment.

This book also falls into the category of a ‘read’ that any gardener would enjoy, whether they consider themselves “organic” or not. Check it out before starting your garden this year.