The ultimate guide to soil : the real dirt on cultivating crops, compost, and a healthier home / Anna Hess.

The big picture -- Soil aggregates -- Soil type -- Organic matter and drainage -- Professional soil tests -- Two ways to start a no-till garden from scratch -- Correcting soil problems as you build new beds -- Solarization -- No-till garden management -- Beyond the in-earth garden -- Correcting soil pH -- Remineralization basics -- Biological methods of nutrient balancing -- Choosing amendments with biology in mind -- Compost -- Manure -- Tree products -- Biochar -- Leaves and more.

Have you noticed the extraordinary flavors and yields emanating from even a small garden when the soil is just right? If you've ever been envious of your neighbor's dirt or just curious about homesteading, then The Ultimate Guide to Soil is perfect for you. The book begins with a personality test for your soil, then uses that information to plan a course of action for revitalizing poor soil and turning good dirt into great earth. Next, you'll learn to start and maintain a no-till garden, to balance nutrients with remineralization, and to boost organic matter with easy cover crops. Don't forget the encyclopedic overview of organic soil amendments at the end.