Book Reviews

Gimme Green

admin — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:48:04 -0700

A documentary film, Gimme Green offers both a humorous and grave look at the American obsession with the residential lawn and its effects on our environment, wallets, and outlook on life. Peppered with factoids, this film examines the social, commercial, and environmental pressures surrounding the green-grass aesthetic, and challenges it. You will gasp, laugh, and never look at grass the same way again.

Contact HCP if you are interested in hosting a screening of this 45-minute film.

The Garden Primer, Second Edition

admin — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:47:05 -0700

By Barbara Damrosch, published by Workman Publishing, $18.95

HCP focuses on natural lawn care, but some of us have more garden than lawn. This second edition of the Garden Primer is 100% organic in its recommendations and is a great reference guide, covering vegetables, annuals, perennials, groundcovers, wildflowers, trees and shrubs, and houseplants. She asks us to think about how much lawn we need and what kind we want in very witty, practical terms. Her fun, chatty writing style makes you feel like you are gaining some gardening perspective from a beloved neighbor.

The Organic Lawn Care Manual

admin — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:26:33 -0700

By Paul Tukey, published by Storey press. $19.95

Paul Tukey of Safelawns is a national leader in the natural lawn care movement. His projects include coordinating a project on the National Mall in Washington D.C., developing a television series, and working with groups to promote natural lawn care in their communities. Paul has produced a well-written and user-friendly book with lots of pictures and illustrations, a helpful weed identification guide, and much more.