Massimo De Vico Fallani’s book, Il vero giardiniere Coltiva il Terreno (The Real Gardener Cultivates the soil), is a practical guide for those who want to understand and care for the soil in their garden. With concrete examples, it explains how to enrich the soil, manage irrigation and pruning, recognize quality pots and use natural materials such as pine needles. An essential vademecum for expert gardeners and novice enthusiasts.

The true gardener cultivates the soil

How to enrich the soil? The book explains how compost and pine needles can be used to naturally enrich the soil, resulting in healthier and more vigorous plants.

Knowing when to work the soil is equally important. The text offers valuable advice on how to avoid common mistakes related to climate and seasonality, ensuring a solid foundation for your plants to thrive.

We talk about soil, irrigation, planting, fertilizers, potted plants, roses, hedges, and even citrus trees and pruning.

A book readable by everyone

Massimo De Vico Fallani, with clarity and brevity, has managed to fill the book with valuable information, not only for a professional gardener who works every day in gardens but also for those who simply have a green space and think they know how to manage it.

In his role as project manager, you can imagine the kind of expert gardeners and sector professionals he has consulted over the years, from whom he has learned the care, loving attention, and details that make a difference in tending to green spaces.

The book begins with this thought:

“All information concerning the soil is of fundamental value, as it helps avoid errors in one of the crucial aspects for the life and success of a garden.”

How to Decide What to Include in an Article

It was difficult to decide what to quote in this review because almost every line contains precious information. We had to read it bit by bit to ensure that each lesson sank in and wasn’t lost among the others.

For every piece of information he provides, he explains why, going to the root of things, and now I understand the reason behind some of the techniques in use.

The true gardener cultivates the soil: some practical examples

Let’s take a few examples. One of the lessons learned from the book concerns what is needed to cultivate soil. To understand the composition of soil, the author suggests a method that involves:

“…letting some dry, powdered soil fall and adding a few drops of lemon or vinegar. If the soil is alkaline, you’ll see effervescence as the base reacts with the acid.”

This is just one of many practical tricks that make the book a valuable resource for anyone wondering how to enrich the soil and achieve better results.

The popular saying

Or take the popular saying, “one good hoeing is worth more than ten waterings,” and the beauty of the book is that by the time we reach this quote, we already understand why.

Weeds and soil care

Another crucial aspect for every gardener is understanding what it means to care for the land properly. The book emphasizes the importance of eliminating weeds, which can deprive ornamental plants of vital nutrients:

“The presence of weeds, apart from being unsightly, is so harmful because they steal nutrients from ornamental plants. Eliminating them is one of the gardener’s most demanding tasks, and unless you resort to chemicals, preventive measures are essential.”

Without proper weed management, it will be difficult to enrich the soil and allow your plants to grow vigorously.

Other secrets on how to enrich the soil

Have you ever used compost (a mix of soil and fertilizer to improve soil conditions) or replaced the top 3 cm of soil in pots (depending on their size) every year to ensure that plants always receive new nutrients?

Did you know that pine needles can be a great amendment for acid-loving plants? Professional gardeners probably know this, but garden owners may not.

If you’re wondering what is needed to cultivate a soil that is fertile and flourishing, these techniques will help you keep your garden in perfect health.

Watering and rainwater collection

Moving on to watering, we learn that overwatering is worse than underwatering. At the same time, the general principles are that soil should never be too dry or too wet, and it’s better to water heavily at spaced intervals than to water lightly and frequently.

Have you ever thought about how to collect rainwater in your garden using homemade methods? Well, the book offers many suggested methods that can help you find a solution.

The general rules that underpin specific details

Beyond answering the question of how to enrich the soil, the book provides practical tips for general garden maintenance.

Many considerations focus on plant health and explain the reasons for specific interventions. For example, pruning while respecting the plant. These are rules that, once learned, can guide you toward developing your own method of action.

Do you know how to choose a terracotta pot? We didn’t think there was much to know about it either, but it turns out that there are well-fired and poorly-fired pots on the market. How do you recognize them? Just lift the pot and tap the rim: if the sound is clear, it’s well-fired.

Well, I could go on for hours writing about this, but Professor De Vico Fallani has already written it all, so I wish you happy reading and invite you to the webinar we are organizing for December.

To purchase it

If you’d like to purchase the book, you can order it via mail by writing “Mondodelgiardino” and you’ll receive a 20% discount.

The true gardener cultivates the soil: conclusion

Thanks to its practical advice and tested techniques, anyone can learn what is needed to cultivate soil, what it means to care for the land, and when to work the soil to get the most out of their garden. We look forward to delving into these topics during the webinar we are organizing for December.

Now on horseback! Work awaits us! Our new wonderful outdoor space is about to be born!

GOOD WORK and … if you have any questions please write to info@mondodelgiardino.com

Sources of the images: Thanks to Pixabay and especially 경복 김 for the social image, and to Christiane, Anna Rozwadowska, Dean Moriarty, Andi, Nadine Mönkemöller, and Pascal Bondis for the closing photo.