Regional Gardening - General & Miscellaneous, Home Economics, Human Ecology, Organic Gardening

The Organic Suburbanite

Name: The Organic Suburbanite
Author: Warren Schultz
ISBN: 9780875968605

by Warren Schultz

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Overview

Ask the tough questions. How can I cut down on energy use in my kitchen? What should I use to unclog the bathroom sink? Which cars create the least pollution? Should I or shouldn't I fertilize my lawn? These are just a few of the issues that families face every day in the suburbs. In this one-of-a-kind guide, author Warren Schultz points out the environmental and personal costs of traditional, toxic household practices and offers safe, natural, and easy alternatives.

Author Biography: Warren Schultz is an award- winning writer whose articles appear in Martha Stewart Living , Gourmet , This Old House , Organic Gardening , Garden Design , Fine Gardening , Woman's Day, Money , and Saveur , among others. He is the author of several books, including The Chemical-Free Lawn , A Man's Turf , A Man's Garden , and For Your Garden: City Gardens . A certified basketball referee who enjoys running and bicycling, Warren lives and gardens—organically, of course—in Essex Junction, Vermont.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

Organic home-care aficionado Warren Schultz (A Man's Garden) presents The Organic Suburbanite: A Swell New Way to Live the American Dream. With an aw-shucks retro style and enthusiasm, Schultz breaks down indoor and outdoor suburban living into manageable arenas for environmentally responsible practice. Ever wondered how to clean your stove, unclog drains, discourage pests, care for your car, disinfect counter tops or bleach clothes in ways that won't damage your health or your environment? Schultz addresses it all. His matter-of-fact approach eschews ideological discourse and gets down to brass tacks (or their recyclable, eco-friendly counterpart). B&w photos. (Aug. 8) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Published by a champion of living lightly, this green guide for suburbanites liberally uses sidebars and 1950s photos to convey important information without being didactic. Part 1 focuses on household management, providing tips that are supported by concrete examples. For instance, a recommendation to buy efficient washing machines is paired with an alert stating that a typical family uses 240 gallons of water weekly on laundry. Part 2 deals with the hallmarks of suburbia: automobiles and outdoor living areas. Schultz gently points out the environmental impact of cars, offering reasonable alternatives like more dutiful maintenance, alternative driveway surfaces, and nontoxic ice melters. Less utilitarian outdoor spaces like decks and swimming pools are covered, too. A third of the book is devoted to organic lawn and garden suggestions. Though the book is marketed toward suburbanites, most of the information, which includes recommended reading and resource lists, could just as easily be used in a rural or urban household. More narrowly focused than Diane MacEachern's Save Our Planet (LJ 3/1/90. p.o.d.), this is still a useful book. Recommended for all public libraries. Bonnie Poquette, Shorewood P.L., WI Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.