In the course of this interview, Steve Solomon covers a lot more ground than the tame “organic fertilizers” title suggests. This American-turned-Aussie gardener and garden writer defines the lovely phrase “to put into healing grass,” gives a bit of history about the British garden “allotment,” critques Elliot Coleman’s seven-year garden rotation, describes the odd Oregon problem of root-eating symphylans, and takes a detour with William A. Price, a dentist whose world travels in the early 20th century led him to link healthy teeth with healthy food.

And yes, Steve does give the formula for his complete organic fertilizer, a mix-it-yourself recipe designed to pack the perfect nutritional punch, thus yielding vegetables rich in nutrients.