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References - Ecological Gardening

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Composting

  1. Real Dirt: The Complete Guide to Backyard, Balcony and Apartment Composting
    Mark Cullen and Lorraine Johnson. 1992. Penguin Books: Markam, ON.
    • A good philosophical background to homeowner conservation
    • How-to’s, lists, diagrams and information; A great Canadian book, easy to ready, very thorough
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    2.  

  2. Everyone’s Guide to Home Composting
    Robyn Bem. 1978. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co.: Toronto, ON.
    • A good philosophical background- interrelationships of life
    • Explores the why’s, how-to’s, trouble shooting and how to use your new compost
    • An older book but a great reference guide and easy to read
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    3.  

  3. Easy Compost: The Secret to Great Soil and Spectacular Plants.
    Beth Hanson, Ed. 1997. Brooklyn Botanical Garden.
    • Great reference, lots of photos, easy to use.
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

Gardening for Wildlife

  1. The New Gardening for Wildlife: A Guide for Nature Lovers
    Bill Merilees. 2000.Whitecap Books, Toronto.
    • Advocates and supports a diversity of life in urban areas
    • Informative how-to’s, colour plates, diagrams and plant lists to support communities of butterflies, insects, aquatic species, reptiles, small mammals, hummingbirds, birds in all seasons, and balcony/patio habitats
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    2.  

  2. Noah’s Garden: Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Backyards
    Sara Stein.1993.Houghton Mifflin Co., New York.
    • Explores the essential role of including a space for wildlife in urban landscapes
    • Stories, essays
    • A great book for understanding the philosophy behind inclusive backyard habitats
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    3.  

  3. Planting Noah’s Garden: Further Adventures in Backyard Ecology
    Sara Stein. 1997. Houghton Mifflin, New York.
    • A step-by-step guide to creating Noah’s Garden.
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    4.  

  4. The Wildlife Gardener: How to Create a Pleasing Garden That Will be a Mecca for All Manner of Wildlife from Birds, Bees and Butterflies to Small Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians
    John V. Dennis.1985. Random House, Toronto.
    • Another entertaining guide. Detail-rich. US-focused.
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    5.  

  5. Butterfly Gardening: Creating Summer Magic in Your Garden
    Xerces Society and Smithsonian Institute. 1990. Whitecap Books, Toronto.
    • Colourful and useful guide to encouraging and nurturing butterflies in your yard. Encourages conservation through education and action.
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    6.  

  6. The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats of the Eastern US
    Janine Benyus. 1989. Fireside, New York.
    • An excellent guide. Very comparable to Eastern Canada.
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

Integrated Pest Management

  1. Natural Insect Control: The Ecological Gardener’s Guide to Foiling Pests
    Warren Schultz, Ed. 1994. Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Inc.
    • Plant and insect guides, guide to common plant diseases, organic controls
    • Extensive, very useful reference for gardeners, great visuals, easy to use
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    2.  

  2. The Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control: A Complete Guide to Keeping Your Garden and Yard Healthy without Chemicals
    B. Ellis and F. Bradley, Eds. 1992. Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Inc.
    • How and why to increase the population of ‘good’ bugs in the yard, reinforcing the reliance on natural systems
    • Bug profiles, methods to (bad) bug-proof the garden
    • Great images, ideas and concepts
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    3.  

  3. Tiny Game Hunting: Environmentally Healthy Ways to Trap and Kill the Pests in Your House and Garden
    H. Dole Klein and A. M. Wenner. 1991. Bantam Books: Toronto.
    • Insect diversity and its importance
    • How-to’s, step-by steps, recipes and information
    • Easy to use, funny, very accessible- good for adults and older children; missing the important connection of nurturing the predatory ‘good’ bugs in the yard
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

Native Plant Gardening

  1. Grow Wild! Native Plant Gardening in Canada and Northern United States
    Lorraine Johnson. 1998. Random House, Toronto.
    • Using native plantings, homeowners can help to sharply reduce the stress on natural ecosystems and their inhabitants, while using less energy and less water
    • Information, case studies and stories on creating beautiful native landscapes in urban areas
    • A wonderful Canadian book to inspire readers and educators.
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    2.  

  2. Taylor’s Guide to Natural Gardening
    Roger Holmes, Ed.1993. Houghton Mifflin, New York.
    • Discourages the use of pesticides, encourages water conservation and supporting wildlife and habitat
    • How-to guides with plant information, regional explanations and detailed plant profiles; includes a section on wildlife gardening, organic control of pests
    • Provides a North American view of habitats- eastern woodlands, coastal plains, great plains...
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    3.  

  3. Landscaping with Wildflowers: An Environmental Approach to Gardening
    Jim Wilson. 1992. Houghton Mifflin Co., New York.
    • An emphasis on spring woodland, prairie and meadow gardening. How to attract birds and butterflies.
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    4.  

  4. The Wild Lawn Handbook: Alternatives to the Traditional Front Lawn
    Stevie Daniels. 1995. McMillan, New York.
    • An ecosystem approach to front yard design. How to get rid of grass and replace with native plants. Gives advice on how to troubleshoot with neighbours and restrictive city by-laws.
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    5.  

  5. Easy Care Native Plants: A Guide to Selecting and Using Beautiful American Flowers, Shrubs and Trees in Gardens and Landscapes
    Patricia Taylor. 1996. Henry Holt and Co. Ltd.
    • Similar to Lorraine Johnson’s Canadian guide, but covers trees and shrubs. An American target audience, but will suffice for southern Canada.
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    6.  

  6. The Natural Habitat Garden
    Ken Druse with M. Roach. 1994. Clarkson Potter Inc.
    • Includes information on native plants, IPM, plant societies and organizations. Organized by ecosystem- drylands, wetlands, woodlands, etc.
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    7.  

  7. The Native Plant Primer: Trees, Shrubs and Wildflower for Natural Gardens
    Carole Ottesen. 1995. Harmony Books, New York.
    • Organized by US bioregions and by plant type.
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

Organic Gardening

  1. Ecological Gardening: Your Path to a Healthy Garden
    Marjorie Harris. 1991/1996. Random House: Toronto.
    • Good philosophical background to sound, earth-friendly ideas for feeding the soil and managing the garden as a living ecosystem
    • Informative, how-to’s; good principles for the whole garden
    • Heavy on the written component
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    2.  

  2. Bioplanning a Northern Garden
    Diana Beresford-Kroeger. 1999.Quarry Press Inc: Kingston, ON
    • Encouraging a diversity of garden plants to create wildlife habitat
    • How-to guides, organic care to plants
    • Excellent book for those who prefer to garden with non-native plants
    • Encourages garden design for conventional use and honouring each plant’s ‘ecofunction’ (or role in the environment), a process she coins as ‘Bioplanning’
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    3.  

  3. The New Organic Grower: A Master’s Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener
    Eliot Coleman. 1989. Old Bridge Press, Camden East, ON.
    • Pertains exclusively to organic vegetable gardening.
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    4.  

  4. The Prosperous Gardener: A Guide to Gardening the Organic Way
    James Jankowiak. 1978. Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA.
    • More on vegetables, especially how-to’s on dealing with insect predators, mulch, and companion plantings.
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood

    5.  

  5. The Organic Garden Book: The Complete Guide to Growing Flowers, Fruit and Vegetables Naturally
    Geoff Hamilton. 1987. Crown Publishers, New York.
    • Loads of useful information on all types of gardening. Photos, diagrams, how-to’s make information very accessible. A great first guide.
    Recommended by Elizabeth Hood
   

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