Secrets to Better Plant Health By Robert Pavlis Microscopic organisms are as important to plant growth as water and light. Microbe Science for Gardeners highlights the essential role of microbes in plant biosystems and soil health, providing practical how-to gardening advice for enhancing plant microbiomes, and debunking common gardening myths. Going beyond soil biology to examine the crucial role of microorganisms in cultivating a productive garden, this accessible guide covers: The interrelationships in microbe populations and between microbes and plants Understanding microbes such as bacteria, yeast, mycorrhizal fungi, and protozoa, both in the rhizosphere and above ground How common practices such as tilling, crop rotation, and mulching affect the microbe community How the savvy gardener can encourage beneficial microorganisms while discouraging those that cause disease or other undesirable effects An objective analysis of popularized practices such as controlling fungal-to-bacterial ratios and applying biostimulants, compost tea, or plant probiotics Prevention and cures for dozens of bacterial, viral, and fungal plant diseases. Whether you’re a home gardener, market gardener, or micro-farmer, Microbe Science for Gardeners will help you leverage the incredible power of the mighty microbe to grow healthy, strong, thriving plants. About the Author Robert Pavlis has been an avid gardener for over four decades. He is the owner and developer of Aspen Grove Gardens, a 6-acre botanical garden that features over 3,000 varieties of plants. Specializing in soil science, he has been an instructor for Landscape Ontario and is a garden blogger, writer, and chemist. The author of Building Natural Ponds, Pavlis is a well-known speaker whose audiences include Master Gardener groups, horticultural societies, orchid societies, and garden shows such as Canada Blooms and the FarmSmart conference. He teaches gardening fundamentals at the University of Guelph and garden design for the City of Guelph, Ontario, where he currently resides.
