Writing

I write only about gardening and agriculture. That said, my writing broadly covers gardening and agriculture, from the details of making compost to planning out a perennial border to making potting soil to growing peaches. Beneath much of my writing runs an undercurrent of respect for Nature and an enthusiasm for growing plants. In my writing, I draw on my experiences as a plant and soil researcher for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Cornell University, on extensive readings of published works, on correspondence with numerous other professional and amateur horticulturists, and, of course, on my own experiences "in the field." My special interests include sustainable agriculture, vegetable gardening, fruit growing, and all aspects of pruning, composts, and soil care.

For the past two decades, my work has appeared in a variety of print media. In addition to publication of my research in professional journals, my popular writing encompasses the following:

• Regular features in national magazines (examples: Fine Gardening, Horticulture) and newspapers (ex: The New York Times);
• A gardening column syndicated through Associated Press that appears weekly throughout the country;
• Contributions to encyclopedias (ex: Oxford Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink);
• Contributions to manuals (ex: University of California Specialty and Minor Crop Handbook);
• Edited works of others for content (ex: Ortho Books All About Growing Fruits, Berries, and Nuts);
• Act as guest editor (ex: Brooklyn Botanical Garden Fruits: Nature's Desserts);
• Author of gardening books, including Uncommon Fruits Worthy of Attention, A Northeast Gardener's Year, Growing Fruit in Your Backyard, The Pruning Book, Weedless Gardening, and Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden. For more information on my books, click here.

I am available for similar sorts of writing projects.