The Truth About Organic Gardening

Benefits, Drawbacks, and the Bottom Line

Gardeners tend to assume that any product or practice labeled as organic is automatically safe for humans and beneficial to the environment. And in many cases this is true. The problem, as Jeff Gillman points out in this fascinating, well-researched book, is that it is not universally true, and the exceptions can pose a significant threat to human health. To cite just two examples: animal manures are widely viewed as prime soil amendments. When properly treated, they are; but if they are insufficiently composted, they can be a source of harmful E. coli contamination. Even more dangerous, potentially, are organic insecticides like rotenone, which is every bit as toxic as the synthetic compounds it is meant to replace. Gillman's contention is that all gardening products and practices — organic and synthetic — need to be examined on a case-by-case basis to determine both whether they are safe and whether they accomplish the task for which they are intended. When gardeners are well informed about the precise nature and consequences of what they use and do in the garden, they are in a much better position to make responsible, effective choices. If you've ever wondered about the merits of a specific insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide, or debated whether practices such as planting cover crops or companion plants are worth the trouble, you'll find the answers you've sought in these pages, along with a clear, careful, and good-humored analysis of benefits and drawbacks. Ultimately, Gillman concludes, organic methods are preferable in most situations that gardeners are likely to encounter. After reading this eye-opening book, you will understand why, and why knowledge is the gardener's most important tool.

Media reviews of this book:

"Finally, someone who's not biased at either extreme of the long-brewing organic vs. chemical garden debate weighs in with an even-handed, fact-based approach. ... Few fields are more rife with half-truths and old wives' tales than gardening. It's really refreshing to see someone look past the claims to what research really tells us."

—George Weigel, Harrisburg Patriot-News, December 10, 2008

"Refreshing, lucid, and enlightening. Their spare style, with no illustrations, and concentration of facts rather than 'inspiration' even gives them an old-fashioned charm."

—Noel Kingsbury, BBC Gardens, October 2008

"Finally, someone wrote a clear and concise book about gardening practices and products."

—Susan Randstrom, Chicago Sun-Times, August 17, 2008

"I've come away from this book — a reference text masquerading as a beach read — with hands-on knowledge that is just plain useful. The book gives you the facts about synthetic and organic techniques and encourages you to do further research, then make educated decisions about your own garden. ... He is calm and even in his approach. His bottom line is that we all need to be more mindful about how we garden, and he encourages us to work towards a safer, healthier, and better world."

—Sara Begg, Horticulture, May 2008

"A highly readable, intelligent, and scientifically based discussion on the benefits and, yes, drawbacks of organic gardening."

—Susan Banks, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 26, 2008

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An excerpt from this book:

When I read books, especially those that deal with issues that might be considered controversial in any way, I find it useful to understand the background of the person who wrote the book. So in the interest of fairness I think it's only appropriate that you understand a little bit about my background and what I believe about growing plants naturally, or "organic" gardening. I was raised in southeastern Pennsylvania, where my family owned a fouracre orchard that we lived on. (Actually the parcel of land was thirteen acres, but most of this land was rented out to a local farmer who grew hay and corn on it.) We grew peaches, apples, apricots, plums, and pears at various times, and at the times when the orchard was most productive, my father, a research chemist by trade, applied "synthetic" pesticides, such as Sevin and oil, to the trees ...

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