20 Best Books On Composting (2023 Update)

Composting is so simple anyone can do it. nature does it all the time! don't get caught up in big lists of dos and don'ts – rediscover the joy of compost in this brilliant and entertaining book by david the good. stop sending potential soil fertility to the landfill and feed your garden for free! you can compost: meatleftoversbreadlogscakeyard wastelasagnafishbonesyour enemies…and lots more! learn the secrets of composting everything with david the good. if you're ready to throw out the rule book and return as much as you can to the soil, compost everything is the book for you. it's time to quit fighting mother nature and start working with her to recycle organic matter and create lush and beautiful gardens with some of the most extreme composting techniques known to man! these easy composting tricks will turn you into a pro in no time – and you'll have fun along the way.

Since the process takes place in a closed system, insects and smell are controlled, making it ideal for urban or business settings. compared to conventional composting, the bokashi method is quicker and easier, with compost usually ready to be integrated into your soil or garden in around two weeks. from scraps to soil, bokashi composting is the complete, step-by-step, do-it-yourself guide to this amazing process, with comprehensive information covering: background – the history, development and scientific basis of the technique getting started – composting with commercially available products or homemade systems making your own – system plans and bokashi bran recipes using common materials and locally sourced ingredients growing – improving your soil with fermented compost and bokashi juice. this essential guide is a must-read for gardeners, homeowners, apartment dwellers, traditional composters and anyone who wants a safe, simple and convenient way to keep kitchen waste out of the landfill. his explanation of bacterial culturing is clear and simply stated. whether you purchase a home bokashi kit or build your own following footer's foolproof instructions, this is the manual for you." –mark macdonald, west coast seeds adam footer is a permaculture designer with a focus on soil building, food forestry, cover crops, water conservation and harvesting, and natural farming.

Grow beautiful fruits, vegetables, and flowers with rich soil you produce yourself! whether you have experience with compost or have always wanted to learn more and see how you can incorporate it into your lifestyle, this book provides everything you need to know. from understanding what compost is and how to make it to using and storing it, this guide carefully explains this sustainable, low-cost way to produce rich soil in your backyard. with detailed chapters on composting techniques, worm composting, and even a section on frequently asked questions, organic book of compost is the only one you'll ever need!

Whether you garden on a small city lot or on a large country property, composting for a new generation covers everything you need to know to make great compost quickly. composting is not just about reducing food and yard waste; it's also about improving the health of your soiland the productivity of your garden. compost is full of nutrients and beneficial microbes that help plants thrive, but store-bought compost is expensive and often comes packaged in non-recyclable plastic bags. composting for a new generation explains the complex science behind effective and efficient composting in layman's terms and includes detailed information on tried-and-true composting methods right along with new, innovative techniques. from traditional bin composting (including step-by-step instructions for building your own bin) and vermicomposting, to keyhole gardens and trench composting, you'll close the cover with all the knowledge needed to be an expert composter today. plus, you'll learn how to use all that "home cooked" compost successfully. composting for a new generation is the most complete book to date on organic composting.

"dead leaves, food scraps, and grass clippings for lunch? small animals, fungi, and bacteria called decomposers turn trash into a tasty compost treat. learn more about compost and how you can use it in your garden or yard."

Composting at scales large enough to capture and recycle the organic wastes of a given community, whether a school, neighborhood, or even a small city, is coming of age, propelled by a growing awareness not only of our food waste crisis, but also the need to restore natural fertility in our soils. in-depth yet accessible, community-scale composting systems is a technical resource for farmers, designers, service providers, organics recycling entrepreneurs, and advocates of all types, with a focus on developing the next generation of organics recycling infrastructure that can enable communities to close the food-soil loop in their local food systems. the main scope of the book is dedicated to compost system options and design, from basic sizing and layout to advanced techniques such as aerated static pile composting. management techniques and operational considerations are also covered, including testing, feedstock characteristics, compost recipe development, and system-specific best management practices. though focused on recycling systems that include food scraps–the fastest growing sector of community-scale composting–the book is informed by and relevant to other composting sectors and will be a vital resource for anyone invested in diverting organic materials away from landfilling and incineration. topics covered include: community-scale models estimating organics from individual generators and whole communities food scrap collection compost system sizing aerated static pile (asp) systems design in-vessel systems selection integrating animals with composting compatibility with compost heat recovery, vermicomposting, and other specialized methodologies composting best management practices nuisance management mitigating persistent herbicides end uses, marketing, and sales whether you're an engineer, community organizer, permaculturalist, public sector waste manager, farmer, or just a dirt lover, community-scale composting systems is the definitive manual on composting, written at a crucial time when communities are just starting to see what the composting movement will ultimately offer our food systems, local and regional economies, and planet.

The composting handbook provides a single guide to the science, principles and best practices of composting for large-scale composting operations facing a variety of opportunities and challenges converting raw organic materials into a useful and marketable product. composting is a well-established and increasingly important method to recycle and add value to organic by-products. many, if not most, of the materials composting treats are discarded materials that would otherwise place a burden on communities, industries, farms and the environment. composting converts these materials into a valuable material, compost, that regenerates soils improving soils for plant growth and environmental conservation. the composting handbook expands on previously available resources by incorporating new information, new subjects and new practices, drawing its content from current scientific principles, research, engineering and industry experience. in both depth and breadth, it covers the knowledge that a compost producer needs to succeed. topics include the composting process, methods of composting, equipment, site requirements, environmental issues and impacts, business knowledge, safety, and the qualities, uses and markets for the compost products. the composting handbook is an invaluable reference for composting facility managers and operators, prospective managers and operators, regulators, policy makers, environmental advocates, educators, waste generators and managers and generally people interested in composting as a business or a solution. it is also appropriate as a textbook for college courses and a supplemental text for training courses about composting or organic waste management. created in conjunction with the compost research and education foundation (cref) includes the latest information on composting and compost, providing the first comprehensive resource in decades written with focus on both academic and industrial insights and advances

Transform leaves, grass, and kitchen scraps into gardener’s gold! this easy-to-use guide shows you how to turn household garbage and backyard refuse into nutrient-filled compost that can nourish your soil and promote a thriving garden. you’ll soon be saving money, minimizing waste, and enjoying bountiful harvests.

Martin turn the compost bin upside down with their liberating system of keeping compost heaps right in the garden, rather than in some dark corner behind the garage. the compost and the plants live together from the beginning in a nourishing, organic environment. the authors' bountiful, compost-rich gardens require less digging, weeding, mulching, and even less planting. and here's one of the best parts — no more backbreaking slogs from compost bin to garden. the authors even identify the plants that benefit most from compost and how the elements of a composted garden work together. a natural six-way compost gardening system provides the ruling principles for successfully improving every garden with healthy compost. readers will learn how to: 1. choose labor-saving sites that keep gardens and compost piles as close to one another as possible. 2. work with the compostable riches produced at home. every yard and kitchen produces plenty of material — easily identified with at-a-glance charts — for a great start. 3. help composting critters do their work by balancing ingredients, adding high-nitrogen meals when needed, and keeping the compost moist. 4. reuse recycling bin items, such as large plastic buckets and cardboard boxes, as composting equipment. 5. keep diversity in the mix. the magic is in the variety of the components and how they work together to create "gardener's gold." 6. customize composting to suit specific garden needs, always concentrating first on soil care. adhering to these guidelines, pleasant and martin bring readers on a thorough, informative tour of materials and innovative techniques, leading the way to an efficient and rewarding home gardening system. their methods are sure to help gardeners turn average vegetable plots into rich incubators of healthy produce, bursting with fresh flavor, and flower beds into rich tapestries of bountiful blooms all season long.

The ultimate guide to individual- and community-scale composting in small urban spaces—with illustrations, expert tips, fun diy projects, and much more these days, everyone’s talking about compost. along with backyard chickeners, balcony beekeepers, rooftop farmers, and community gardeners, urban composters are part of a bumper crop of pioneers who are redefining the green space of crowded towns and cities. you may think you need a big yard to compost. think again. compost city teaches you how to easily choose and care for a compost system that fits perfectly into your (tiny) space, (busy) schedule, and (multifaceted) lifestyle. whether you live in a cramped apartment or a sprawling town house, or you dream of composting in a shared space with a group of friends or colleagues, compost city provides simple and effective indoor and outdoor composting options. packed with research, expert testimonies, and a healthy dose of humor, this guide will help you: – compost your food scraps and yard waste with ease – ease your fears of backbreaking labor, obnoxious odors, big messes, and creepy crawlies (hint: you can compost successfully without any of the above!) – convince compost-wary family, friends, neighbors, and community leaders to green-light your compost dreams compost city serves all eco-curious citizens from casual hobbyists to staunch activists. so put your compost cap on. whether you compost one tea bag or whole honking barrelfuls of scraps at a time, you’re about to have a whole lot of fun.

Your backyard farming experience begins here! give back to your garden by composting! backyard farming: composting is your all-in-one guide for creating your own homestead composting plan and adding rich, nourishing humus to your garden. this guide reviews every important topic from what should and should not be composted, benefits and uses for compost, how to build a compost bin, and much more. – whether you’re composting the waste from your farm or just the scraps from your kitchen, composting is the comprehensive primer for anyone looking to start composting and bring that “black gold” to their own garden. including detailed instructions and informative photographs that help ensure your compost system is practical and productive, composting takes you step by step through everything you need to nourish your garden—and build healthy, rich soil. – with composting, you will: – choose the composting method that works best for you, your needs, and your available material – discover how to begin a compost system and how to maintain it for optimal yield – construct your own composting system from a variety of easy-to-follow plans – learn how to troubleshoot any problem your compost pile might develop – find out how best to use your compost—including indoor container gardening…and much more to help you achieve success. – more than ever, people everywhere are making a return to a self-sufficient, sustainable lifestyle. join the growing movement of homemakers looking to a healthier, happier way of life—and it starts right in your very own backyard. – backyard farming is a series of easy-to-use guides to help urban, suburban, and rural dwellers turn their homes into homesteads.

Over 500,000 copies of this useful book have been sold in the first nine printings. this new second edition contains new graphics, the latest information on composting and household refuse, and descriptions of the most current tools available to help readers get started with their own composting program.

Since 1973, storey's country wisdom bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. there are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life.

New and updated second edition, with a step by step guide to building your own compost bin, new information and the latest in the best composting methods!" composting made easy – a complete guide to composting at home" is for anyone who wants to know more about how to produce their own eco-friendly compost that is one of the best feeds for your plants! home-made compost is a secret behind many a competition winning vegetable. – however, many people think that composting is just throwing things in a pile and letting nature take its course, there is much more involved with it. i wrote this book to help explain everything you need to know about making your own compost from the ground up. this simple, step-by-step guide will teach you everything you need to know to get making compost in your garden today. – when you read this book you will get tips and pointers to help you really make the most of composting and reap the many benefits of producing this brown gold at home. – when you read this book you will discover: why composting at home is so beneficial and how it helps not only the environment, but your plants too the many uses of compost in your garden from mulching to foliar sprays and more an understanding of how composting works and the exact conditions needed for compost to happen – which compost bin is best for you, whether it is a tumbler, a plastic bin or a home made bin the must have compost accessories as well as those that aren't necessary a step by step guide to building your own multi-bin compost pile from pallets in under an hour which items you can safely compost, which you must never compost and the correct ratio of materials to rapidly produce fresh compost why turning your compost is so important but also why it doesn't matter if you can't! what hot and cold composting is, how they can benefit you and when to use each method how to set up your own worm farm at home so you can benefit from this incredible compost exactly what leaf mold is, how to make it and why it is useful for you as a gardener how to make compost teas and why they are so beneficial for your plants how to avoid the common mistakes people make when composting and deal with any problems that may come up and much, much more great information helping you to make the most of composting composting is something every gardener should be doing and is a great way of recycling your waste material and turning it in to a productive and beneficial substance that your plants will love. there are so many benefits to your plants from producing your own compost that you will definitely notice the difference not only to your plants but to your pocket too. it is quick, easy and something anyone can do to get the most out of their garden. – enjoy your adventure in composting as "composting made easy – a complete guide to composting at home" explains all about the many exciting ways to produce your own compost. discover how composting can benefit you and your garden.

Worms can easily turn your organic waste into very valuable fertilizer that you can use to make anything green grow better and stronger. use it in your garden, on your lawn, on your houseplants, even to make the green in your wallet grow faster by selling worm compost. whether you are new to this wonderful process or you want to expand your expertise, this comprehensive tutorial has it all. everything is covered: from indoor and outdoor worm farming, how to feed your worms, what to feed your worms, how to harvest the castings and, most importantly, both how and why to use them. what sets this book apart is not the telling of what to do (though that part is pretty darn good!), but you will also learn why you are doing what you are doing. this makes it easy for you to figure out things on your own once you get going. there are great trouble-shooting tips and tricks to make sure you never fall victim to a smelly worm bin or worse: dead worms. there are actually many myths surrounding what worms can and cannot eat and where and how they can or cannot live. find out the real truth in the best place for garbage as you learn how these myths came to be and why they really are just urban legends (yes, worms can eat meat. and citrus. and bananas. no, you do not need to drill holes in your bin. really!) told with a very heavy dose of humor and an even bigger helping of common sense, this book is perfect for anyone who gardens, anyone who recycles, anyone who eats. it is currently estimated that over a third of all waste is made up of organic matter that can be recycled. recycling plastics and such is awesome, but in this case, you can personally make a difference and get something valuable in return. try that with a water bottle. also includes a bonus section of ideas for school and college level science projects.

"from the author of the humanure handbook, an expert guide to compost toilets you can build yourself. the compost toilet handbook is an illustrated instructional manual explaining how to make, use, and manage compost toilets, which are waste-free toilets that rely on the biological process of composting to recycle toilet material. it is based on the author's 40+ years of first-hand experience with "composting as a sanitation alternative." the 254-page indexed book has 161 pages of color photos including 203 photos or illustrations from 13 countries where compost toilet systems are in use. the 2nd half of the book includes case study reviews of compost toilet projects in african prisons and schools; haitian schools, orphanages, and villages; schools in mozambique; neighborhoods in mongolia; a school and village in nicaragua; and an ecovillage in the us.

Have you ever had compost that would not break down? or compost that turned into a smelly mess? you are not alone. millions of people struggle with making compost at home. composting is such an integral part of gardening that learning to get it right allows you to become a master of your special place. – this book will take you on a journey of how the microbial life in your soil and compost play vital roles in your garden. you will learn why specific things happen when making compost and how to solve common problems. – here is what some readers had to say when they read it for the first time.“ the most comprehensive book on composting i have ever read! i thought i knew a thing or two about composting organic materials to use back in my garden as “black gold” but tony’s breaking down (pun intended) of composting principles and methods has given me a better understanding of the whole process. – if you want to know everything there is about composting and becoming a compost master – read this book! mark valencia (self sufficient me)”what’s covered in this book? that’s easy, let’s take a look at the chapters. – what is composting? why composting? soil food web introduction – composting elements – selecting where to compost – aerobic composting – anaerobic composting – other composting processes – composting vessels – using compost in your garden – learn the basic fundamentals of composting and then delve as deep as you like into the chemistry and physics behind composting. i will take you on a journey through a civilization of microbial life you didn't even know existed. it all starts by wanting to be the master of your domain. let's learn how to get that garden of your dreams, or grow the best nutrient-dense foods that you will ever grow.

Back-to-basics gardening that will benefit the earth and your wallet! want to use ordinary waste to create an extraordinary garden? composting lets you turn household food waste, yard clippings, and more into free compost and mulch that's chock-full of nutrients. from building and working with traditional compost bins to starting an indoor worm-composting operation, composting for dummies makes these often intimidating projects easy, fun, and accessible for anyone! digging into compost basics — get a handle on the benefits of composting and the tools you'll need to get started choosing the best method and location — find the best composting method and location that's right for you, whether it's above ground, in a hole, in a container or bin, or even right in your kitchen building your pile — learn which ingredients can go into your compost pile, what stays out, and how to mix it all up in the right proportions stepping beyond traditional composting — get the lowdown on vermicomposting (letting worms eat your garbage), growing green manures to compost later, and sheet composting in the same spot you plan to plant open the book and find: a step-by-step guide to composting the right gear and tools for the job tips on constructing your own composting containers and bins materials you can safely compost (and those to avoid) cover crops to improve your soil now and compost later recommendations for using your finished compost what worms contribute to your compost troubleshooting advice if your compost pile isn't cooperating learn to: turn household food waste, yard clippings, and more into nutrient-rich compost build and maintain your own compost bin use worms to aid in composting, both indoors and out give your vegetable and flower gardens a boost of energy

An essential guide to composting for all gardeners and environmentally conscious peoplethis revised edition of the rodale book of composting includes all the latest in new techniques, technology, and equipment. gardeners know composting is the best way to feed the soil and turn food scraps into fresh produce, but even urbanites can get on board thanks to programs like compost pickup and citywide food waste initiatives—there’s no better way to reduce landfill waste (and subsequent emissions) and dependence on fossil fuels while nourishing the earth. the rodale book of composting offers easy-to-follow instructions for making and using compost; helpful tips for apartment dwellers, suburbanites, farmers, and community leaders; and ecologically sound solutions to growing waste-disposal problems.

Easy-to-follow instructions for making and using compost. helpful tips for apartment dwellers, suburbanites, farmers, and community leaders. ecologically sound solutions to growing waste disposal problems.