From “Books to Grow On” Page–“Teaming with Microbes”

•  Teaming with Microbes: A Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web by Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis

The untrained eye sees soil for only its surface potential. However, after a few dates with dirt, the interested begins to see the complicated layers, much like a hermit who finally gets to speak.

Teaming with Microbes reveals the intricacies of the world beneath our feet and the vast potential it holds. Authors Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis discuss the world of dirt from single celled organisms to the recent celeb status of the earthworm. They also encourage the incorporation of “human recipes” like compost teas to enhance the soil micro-universe.

Here is an excerpt:

“A mere teaspoon of good garden soil, as measured by microbial geneticists, contains a billion invisible bacteria, several yards of equally invisible fungal hyphae, several thousand protozoa, and a few dozen nematodes.”

Teaming is an effective learning tool because it covers a little known (but fascinating) subject while abstaining from being too academic. Instead, the book makes sure any type of reader (with at least a grain of vested interest in soil) will be able to make sense of the elaborate but simply written content.