Rodale's All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening : The Indispensable Resource for Every Gardener

Rating:
Summary: Bitterly disappointed
Review: Most of the material found in this book can be obtained from your state university extension or on the web, often times in greater detail. Although reasonably priced, this reference contains only surface level information.

Rating:
Summary: Too much of too little
Review: Most of the material found in this book can be obtained from your state university extension or on the web, often times in greater detail. Although reasonably priced, this reference contains only surface level information.

Rating:
Summary: Rodale's All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening
Review: This book is the most basic, and most frequently used, gardening book I own. Rodale uses layman's terms which the beginning or expert gardener will readily understand. The text is comprehensive in its plant listings. I use it all the time!

Rating:
Summary: Inferior to the Classic
Review: This is a good book for the small gardener. It does have a lot of information but at the same time it is lacking. The old classic of mine is worn with years of consulting. I was excited to get the new one but was really disappointed. I live far South and the new book seems to be written almost exclusivly for cooler climes. There is no information on the exotics fruits as was previously included. Many seemingly essential topics are also missing. The old had loads of practical pointers and had the ring of experience. The new reads like a vague tech manual. A good book for the beginner still, but try and find a copy of the old one first

Rating:
Summary: Great Quick Reference
Review: This is a great overview book. No, it doesn't go into great depth, but it's always my first stop when I'm either curious, troubleshooting or just can't remember when to do what. Lot's of other books offer deeper info on the subject, it's not a handbook on organic technique (I recommend Eliot Coleman for that), but for quick checks and enough info to go squish that bug or leave it be, this helps.