Talking Dirt: The Dirt Diva's Down-to-Earth Guide to Organic Gardening

by Annie Spiegelman

A lively and practical guide to organic gardening from a renowned garden expert.

Annie Spiegelman's down-to-earth wit and wisdom create the perfect primer for anyone with a passion for home-grown veggies or fresh-cut flowers, no matter what their skill level, location, or resources. Includes advice

•Learning to worship the worm and build a compost pile

•Landscape designs-start small in order to create a basic plan for a plot

•The secret to healthy soil (the only way to have a healthy garden)

•Irrigation systems and strategies to conserve water

•Proper pruning-from roses to trees

•How to combine vegetables to make them thrive

•How to let your garden go native and become drought tolerant

•Edible landscaping and gardening in small spaces

Talking Dirt is a one-stop handbook that features resources for shopping, learning, and promoting environmentally sound garden practices within local communities.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2010

Reviews

[Kelly Walkauskas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was between 2 and 3 stars.

I appreciate the conversational tone and the author's view that anyone can and should garden. Her background going from city girl to gardener really drives home that point.

The book did not have a lot of references and some areas really showed that lack of references. There were some points where the author gave some questionable gardening advise, which maybe all that was needed was more of an explanation. She also did things like end a chapter talking about how great native plants were by showcasing a plant that was non native. It made me go from liking the book to questioning the book's advice, which ultimately made me rate this book lower.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A kind of breezy overview that covers a huge variety of topics. I especially liked the plant recommendations at the end of each chapter.

[Cindy Dyson Eitelman · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the section on native plants she lists a European plant that is now considered invasive species in America. Huh?

But ignoring that minor boo-boo, this is an excellent little book of tips and tricks and a goodly number of plant variety suggestions. And this very useful warning, on pruning:

Even though it's tempting, don't prune during PMS or after a long wearisome phone call with or mother or immediately after a divorce. You'll regret your severe slashing and then you'll have more to sob about. Put away the sharp objects and go get a pint of Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey instead.

I believe she's helped me with my quest for high nitrogen fertilizer to add to my compost pile. I was hoping to go pilfer from cow patties but then I got to reading about salmonella. Apparently alfalfa meal can be obtained from feed stores in bags; soybean or cottonseed meal is better but both may be contaminated with pesticides. Any of the above would be fine.

Looks like a trip to AgMart is in my near future. And a recommendation--if you're just starting out in gardening this book will give you confidence and a whole heap of useful information. And if you've been at it for a while, give it a whirl anyway.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a clearly written, well-organized gardening book, preaching the virtues of compost and mulch and laying out (along with the compost and mulch) some seasonal tasks that might help the neophyte gardener find her way through the maintenance chores of the year. It has a different bent than some of the other books I've been reading about gardening for wildlife or rewilding your yard; it's definitely invested in the aesthetics of the garden and recommends some non-native plants (there's a plant suggestion at the end of each chapter, and she admits that she's hooked on roses). The book includes some handy charts and lists; I particularly liked the ones explaining what nutrients or minerals your veggies might be lacking if they turn yellow or droop in a particular way. Her voice is accessible and humorous--that's actually my biggest bone to pick with the book: sometimes she sounds jokey without actually being funny. But this is really the user's guide that it promises to be, and I may pick up a copy (I borrowed it from the library) to own as a handy reference.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of a "baby's first gardening" book, which is fine and probably encouraging for true beginners, but if you've had even a modicum of gardening/houseplant experience then this book is really more of a refresher.

[Carly Ellen Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

(As posted on crowdedearthkitchen.com)

Who says Divas can’t play in the dirt?

If you fancy yourself to be the forward-thinking sort of gardener, you need to read this book. If your experience with gardening books is limited to toast dry narratives of rules and instructions, you really need to read this book. The Dirt Diva – Annie Spiegelman, that is – offers sage gardening advice in whimsical prose, injecting plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor to keep you laughing all the way from your favorite reading chair to your backyard garden.

In a very manageable sized text, The Dirt Diva walks the reader through a gardening season from beginning (“Let’s Start with a Plan”) to end (“You did it! You and Your Garden Grow Up, Finally”). Ms. Spiegelman accommodates those of us with limited warm weather attention spans (cough, cough) by dividing her text into five succinct, convenient sections. In the first and longest section, readers are given a comical crash course in everything from plant taxonomy, gardening tools, understanding soil, composting, irrigation, and pest control. In this last subsection, Ms. Spiegelman’s perspective on the importance of going organic is crystal clear. Regarding conventional pesticide use, she explains, “You’re now on an endless cycle of wasting money: weakening your plants; killing off the bird, butterfly, and bee populations; depleting your soil; and polluting the neighborhood’s groundwater. That’s not gardening. That’s lunacy!” (p. 57)

Subsequent sections address growing and rehabilitating your organic garden, including flowers, food crops, and an easy to understand seasonal division of labor. Garden rehab is not to be underestimated. In Ms. Spiegelman’s words, “You don’t want hyperactive and sugar-addicted plants. (Aren’t hyperactive and sugar-addicted children enough?) Stop being an enabler.” (p. 75) Put that way, it sounds just crazy enough to be true.

My personal favorite chapter in Talking Dirt is Chapter 13, “Shall Hell Be Paved with Weeds?” After all, weeds are the first excuse given by many spray bottle wielding backyard gardeners, yes? Ms. Spiegelman is not dismissive of this reality, nor does she accept the excuse. “It’s best to face the fact that you’ll be doing some serious hand weeding a few times a year,” she states plainly (p. 123). From there, she goes on to provide a few pages of sensible advice on how to avoid losing your sanity in the process.

I would recommend this book for the last few pages, “Your Final Pep Talk,” alone. But really, you may as well start at the beginning to laugh and learn your way through a few rainy days. Then, go play in the dirt!

[Aleah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annie Spiegelman is a California Master Gardener and a proponent of organic gardening. I really enjoyed her tone in this book, light-hearted and witty. Much of the content is very basic introduction to the concept of organic gardening. I was pleased to find out I knew much of it already: embrace green manure crops, never underestimate the power of compost and mulch, and for goodness sake use a soaker hose. Got it! At the end of each chapter Annie also recommends a plant, giving each a whaa-whaa rating. (The higher the rating, the more complicated the plant.) This was a cute touch... but since I focus on planting only plants native to my area (or food) in my yard none of these recommendations really pertained to me.

A cute, browsable book on organic gardening. I'll give it a whaa-whaa rating of 2.

[Kristen Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. I admittedly know nearly nothing about gardening. Spiegelman has a delightfully casual voice and is obviously very knowledgable and enthusiastic about gardening, saying such things as, "If you can't find one, call me and I'll let you use mine." The whole book is well-organized. I was looking for tips and basics for planting my edible garden this spring/summer, but I read the entire thing (fruit tree tips, rose garden advice, etc) because every phrase is pithy, witty, and just plain enjoyable. I got this book from the library, but I'm highly considering it for my own shelf.

[Demarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the humor in this, like most others who have reviewed it. For me, the basic information she provided came at a perfect time and the bonus of her wit and straight-talking approach was very refreshing. She talks a bit about very serious things, damage being done to our planet and food supply for instance, but doesn't take herself too seriously in doing so.

I picked this up at the library, but will be purchasing it for myself.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the author is entertaining, the way that the book is laid out is jumpy and quirky. Written primarily for urban readers, the book takes a pretty casual approach that makes the experience less threatening for beginning gardeners. As the title suggests, purists might take exception. Some of the science is a bit inaccurate or poetic license.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guidebook and resource for gardening. It's so much more readable than the Sunset or Western Gardening books. I wish it was longer though and offered more site specific ideas. I know the author is in SF so I wanted to know about her winters and vegetables. I think it is a little too broad, but still enjoyed it.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read because she has a great sense of humor. Loved how she discussed edibles and flowers, but started off emphasizing the importance of enriching the soil in order to succeed as a gardener. Good recommendations of plants throughout the book plus other gardening resources. I wished there were more pictures, and in color while reading it on my iPad.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an experienced gardener I wasn't sure how much I would learn from this little book. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that not only is it a fantastic book for the novice gardener, but there are plenty of tips and tricks for gardeners of all levels.

[Amber]

Really enjoying this so far. I can't wait to get back home to Okinawa so I can start my own garden! It's something I've been wanting to do for a long time now. So far, this book is very informative, and has given me a great bit of knowledge about starting an organic garden.

[Deidre · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gardening how to book with snark, what's not to love! She reccommends weeding with an Ipod, add cocktails and you have a recipe for success! Especially loved the sections on organic pest remedies, compost, tons of seed company & supply resources, took copious notes!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent resource for conscientious beginner gardeners. In addition to a wide variety of information that span a range of topics, Spiegelman uses humor and real talk about her tips. I'm rereading it and use it as a reference each year.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good all-around gardening book written in an entertaining style.

My favorite chapter was the one on dirt, or soil as the purists call it.

I would particularly recommend this book for beginners.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know the first thing about gardening and this book is a perfect place to start. It is simple and clear, as well as entertaining. It's just what I needed to start my Gardening 101. Good as both a handy reference book to refer to as you go or as a cover to cover read.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humorous, earthy approach to organic gardening...not for sissies!

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad overview of gardening for the beginner, or a refresher for those who need one.

[Kim Brunskill · Rating 5 out of 5]

witty, well-written, and incredibly helpful!

[Joe Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun book about organic gardening with information and stories shared in a humorous and memorable way.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Annie writes (even going so far as telling us to not call her when something goes wrong!). Lots of information for the beginner that isn't too overwhelming.

[Dan Meier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! It's great for beginners. I wish it was around when I started gardening!

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love gardening this is a cute book full of fun anecdotes. It made me want to become a master gardener.

[Lisa Geddes · Rating 2 out of 5]

IMO she didnt seem to know what she was talking about