Elizabeth Murphy has a passion for growing food that led her to a master's degree in soil science from University of California, Davis, where she researched soil organic matter storage and a farmer's ability to improve it. She has worked as a faculty instructor for Oregon State University Extension's Small Farms Program, where she taught and consulted with gardeners and farmers about best management practices to build healthy soils. Since 2006, she has owned a half-acre garden in southern Oregon, which she considers her laboratory for experimenting with sustainable soil management and gardening practices for landscapes and vegetables. Currently, she is living in Japan and pursuing her love of aikido.
Libraries that don't already own Keith Reid's Improving Your Soil or Elizabeth Stell'sSecrets to Great Soil will want to snap up this book for their green-thumb patrons. - LJ Xpress Reviews Murphy has compiled decades of research and real-life experience into a new go-to resource, Building Soil: A Down-to-Earth Approach, a hands-on guidebook designed specifically for home gardeners. In her first book, Murphy breaks some new ground in making soil building - and understanding - much simpler. - Sacramento Bee Even for experienced gardeners there is plenty to learn from this handy book - SEEDS Magazine In her book, Murphy shows you how to recognize healthy soils, then offers a series of easy steps to help you get your own soil under control. And she covers all the bases: mulching, compost, weeds, fertilizers, organic matter, water, cover crops, you name it. - Garden Design Online Libraries that don't already own Keith Reid's Improving Your Soil or Elizabeth Stell'sSecrets to Great Soil will want to snap up this book for their green-thumb patrons. - LJ Xpress Reviews Murphy has compiled decades of research and real-life experience into a new go-to resource, Building Soil: A Down-to-Earth Approach, a hands-on guidebook designed specifically for home gardeners. In her first book, Murphy breaks some new ground in making soil building - and understanding - much simpler. - Sacramento Bee Even for experienced gardeners there is plenty to learn from this handy book - SEEDS Magazine In her book, Murphy shows you how to recognize healthy soils, then offers a series of easy steps to help you get your own soil under control. And she covers all the bases: mulching, compost, weeds, fertilizers, organic matter, water, cover crops, you name it. - Garden Design Online