The Northwest Garden Manifesto - by John Albers (Paperback)

About the Book

"To make your garden as beautiful and eco-friendly as possible pick up The Northwest Garden Manifesto." - Mike Irvine, Senior Garden Editor, Sunset

Book Synopsis

• A primer for growing a beautiful, healthy, wildlife-friendly, and sustainable garden
• Science-based advice from the author's three decades of experience with his four-acre garden
• Lays out earth-healthy principles and explains how to work towards them

Gardens are extensions of our homes, places in which we get outside to relax, entertain, and get some physical exercise. But our gardens are also extensions of the natural world. Through our gardens, as well as other neighborhood greenspaces, we can help counter some of the woes faced by larger environments: rampant development, loss of plant and animal habitat, spread of invasive species, exploitation of natural resources, air and water pollution, and the impacts of global warming. Yes, even small urban backyard landscapes can combat such man-made strains on our local environment--and it's easy to do!

In his new book, The Northwest Garden Manifesto, scientist and gardener John J. Albers provides a comprehensive guide to encourage and enable homeowners to consider the local ecosystem in their own gardens, and in their larger communities. The ideas and concepts in this book reflect the most up-to-date thinking on urban ecology and how to best make our yards reflect the natural world around us.

The key to Albers's approach is for gardeners to first assess the current state of their property and then focus on the following key principles:
1. Protect, conserve, and create healthy soil
2. Maintain healthy plants and create a sustainable landscape
3. Conserve water and other natural resources
4. Protect water and air quality
5. Protect and enhance wildlife habitat
6. Conserve energy
7. Use sustainable methods and materials

Through clear explanation, practical examples, and full-color photos, Albers shows how to evaluate any yard in terms of these principles and then challenges the reader to improve each element, one step at a time. From creating better soil to starting a compost pile, attracting pollinators to adding more native plants, or creating a simple circulating water feature to building a fence from recycled wood--gardeners will ultimately turn their backyards into beautiful, healthy, and happy habitat for all.

Review Quotes

"'The Northwest Garden Manifesto' offers both practical advice and encouragement on restoring biodiversity and creating beauty--a good combination!"--Barbara McMichael "Kitsap Sun"

"Gardeners throughout the United States will find [Alber's] book useful and informative. It is an especially appropriate book for someone who is considering becoming more hands-on with garden or yard care, and wants to understand how a person or community can affect positive ecological change."--Esther Jackson "New York Botanical Garden"

"Passion and expertise are combined in Albers' practical and motivational book."--Sally Peterson "The Oregonian"

"To make your garden as beautiful and eco-friendly as possible, pick up THE NORTHWEST GARDEN MANIFESTO, by John Albers."-- "Sunset Magazine"

For a crash course in creating a healthy landscape, pick up a copy of "The Northwest Garden Manifesto: Create, Restore and Maintain a Sustainable Yard," by John J. Albers (Skipstone, 2018). Grounded in organic principles and conservation ethics, and beautifully illustrated with photos by David Perry, Albers shows how gardens, even the smallest backyard, can play a productive role in supporting an environment under pressure. In chapters on building good soil, maintaining healthy plants, managing resources and providing space for wildlife, Albers draws a direct line between the health of our gardens and the health of our planet.--Lorene Edwards Forkner "The Seattle Times"

Northwest Garden Manifesto features the seven principles of sustainable gardening which took root in John's landscape.... Each one on this list is important in its own right; but together, they create a symphony of beauty, wildlife diversity, ecological responsibility, and a richness of experience that feeds the senses.-- "Growing a Greener World"

With chapters on trees, ornamental and edible, water and sustainable care, this book would be great for the intermediate level gardener on your list.--Carla Albright "Tillamook Headlight Herald"