Organic Answers Column – October 19, 2022 – TX Bug Book

Texas Bug Book – and Others

Having the word “Texas” in some of my book titles has made some folks around the country think the books are not appropriate for them. That was done originally because my audience was primarily Texans. Now that my audience is national and even global in some cases, it’s important to say that my books are appropriate for people coast to coast and border to border – with two caveats. One is timing, The tasks are the same but vary in time – from Arizona to Maine for example. The other is specific plant varieties and I always advise checking with local experts on that anyway.

As far as how to do things organic, soil building, bed prep, planting techniques, pruning, mulching, composting, container gardening, etc. are universal – if being done correctly. My best books to help withes subjects are Organic Lawn Care, Organic Manual, Herbs for Texas, Texas Gardening the Natural Way and Organic Management for the Professional.

Pest control is a special case. Insect and disease control is kept to a minimum by the natural organic program I teach, and the

Texas Bug Book

gives detailed info on how to use beneficial insects and microbes and how to control the occasional pests with techniques that really work. And the information is valid across the country.

The coolest features of the book are the stories written by my late friend Malcolm Beck. And I wrote a few myself. Here’s a good example of a “A Malcolm Story:”

And here are a few of our favorite cover blurbs:

“Overall this [book] is probably the best of its kind. Given the excellent photography and affordability, it is definitely worth the purchase.” –

Whole Earth

“Definitive. This book is a must have for any organic library!” –

Texas Organic News