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This Issue:
2003 Highlights &
2004 Changes
Calendar of Events
Things to Expect & Do
An Agave Stalk
Becomes A Nursery
Pruning My Red Bird
of Paradise
Computer Corner
Coping with those
Irritating Weeds
Who Am I?
Experiencing the
Wonders of
Composting
Going Bananas in the
Desert
Banana Recipes Small Trees for the
Arizona Desert
Spotting Nutrient
Deficiencies
in Citrus Leaves
Word Wise
Landscape Water Use
Results are In
Desert Willow
Indigenous Imposter
Book Review
Master Gardener
Journal Index
of 2003
Special
Announcements: Two Citrus Clinics
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Book Review
by Janet Beaver, Master Gardener
Eat More Dirt
By Ellen Sandbeck
Broadway Books, Random House, 2003
196 pages, $10.95 at Amazon Books
Although author Ellen Sandbeck is serious about the principles of organic
gardening, her book Eat More Dirt is written in a casual and humorous manner.
Sandbeck wants people to create gardens they will enjoy, rather than gardens
they should enjoy.
Blending research and personal experience, Sandbeck, a landscape gardener,
presents material to help beginners feel confident; yet even seasoned gardeners
should come away with a few new tips.
Readers here in the Southwest will appreciate the fact that Sandbeck continually
provides information appropriate for gardening in a desert environment. She
emphasizes the physical side of gardening, by providing instructions on proper
body mechanics when using tools as well as appropriate stretching exercises
(complete with graphics of budding plants that demonstrate the moves).
Early chapters cover organic gardening, pest management, soil health, plant
choices, and design, and then Chapter 10, "The Meditative Gardener" reminds
readers that gardening is good for our mental and emotional health.
Eat More Dirt is informative and fun; it will motivate you and at the same time
help you avoid taking your garden-or yourself-too seriously. Enjoy!!
Maricopa County Master Gardener Volunteer Information
Last Updated January 23, 2004
Author: Lucy K. Bradley, Extension Agent Urban Horticulture, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County
© 1997 The University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cooperative Extension in Maricopa County
Comments to Maricopa-hort@ag.arizona.edu 4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85040,
Voice: (602) 470-8086 ext. 301, Fax (602) 470-8092
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