Ocean Friendly Gardens: A How-To Gardening Guide to Help Restore a Healthy Coast and Ocean

The United States has a water problem, an oceans, rivers, and lakes problem. Our National treasures are polluted.
    More likely than not, the decline in aquatic health is caused by non-point source pollution, which is the aggregate effect of a community and the decisions they make. Homeowners and the gardens they maintain are a significant part of this non-point pollution - yet they do not have to be.
    Ocean Friendly Gardens will help those concerned about the Nation's waterways by teaching them how to eliminate or clean the water running off residential landscapes. This book offers practical design ideas, safe alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides; tips on increasing permeability and a comparison of surface materials; construction diagrams for retention basins; and less toxic alternatives for common household chemicals.

"Even some of the most experienced horticulturalists will be surprised how many new anti-runoff ideas they will find here! The chapters on irrigation are especially noteworthy because they present the essentials succinctly and very clearly." Greg and Pat Williams, HortIdeas, February 2010

In many ways, this is less a book than a manual on how to design and manage a garden that captures and keeps the water that it gets. Its design principles of conservation, permeability and retention are a lifeguard -- one that protects the ocean from us." Emily Green, Los Angeles Times, February 26, 2010

"Kent's book has clear, practical recommendations, supported by graphic and photographic illustrations of numerous important concepts. The main sections, Planning, Preparation, Construction and Maintenance, provide a comprehensive approach to "performing CPR" on your garden. " Tom Karwin, Monterey County Herald, March 10, 2010

"Ocean Friendly Gardens covers every aspect of the sustainable landscape. The entire process of creating and caring for an ecologically appropriate garden is discussed in excellent, understandable detail." Mike Evans, President, Tree of Life Nursery October 2009

"Kent came up with a few new garden practices that significantly reduce water pollution. Ocean Friendly Gardens teaches you about permeability, shows you how to deal with slopes, and includes chapters on environmentally friendly fertilizers and pest and weed control practices." Cindy McNatt, Orange County Register, February 6, 2010