Compost science for gardeners Simple methods for nutrient rich soil
Book - 2023
"Compost Science for Gardeners demystifies the full range of composting methods and helps readers determine or select the best technique for their situation. This comprehensive, plain-language, science-based book covers everything from the inputs required to the beneficial impacts on the environment and soil health."--
- Subjects
- Genres
- Handbooks and manuals
- Published
-
Gabriola, BC :
New Society Publishers
[2023]
- Language
- English
- Main Author
- Physical Description
- x, 205 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
Issued also in electronic formats - Bibliography
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 191-193) and index.
- ISBN
- 9780865719767
- 1. Introduction
- What Is Compost?
- Why Should Everyone Compost
- Myths About Composting
- Definitions
- 2. The Role of Compost in Soil
- Benefits of Composting
- The Microorganism Myth
- What Is Soil Health?
- What Is Soil?
- Plant Nutrients
- Tilling
- Mulching
- 3. The Science of Composting
- The Reality of Composting
- The Hot Composting Process
- Understanding Microbes
- The Role of Macroorganisms
- What Role Do Worms Play?
- Heat Kills Pathogens
- Heat Kills Weed Seeds
- How Long Does It Take?
- The Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio
- Cold vs Medium vs Hot
- Chemical Properties of Compost
- Loss of Plant Nutrients
- Humus
- When Is Compost Ready?
- 4. Compostable Material
- Good Composting Material
- Controversial Composting Material
- Bad Composting Material
- 5. Managing the Composting Process
- Location
- Storing Input Ingredients
- Air
- Water
- Turning
- Shred Input Material
- The Curing Stage
- Using Activators
- Nitrogen Sources
- Winter Time
- Two Is Better than One
- Speeding Up the Process
- Keep Animals Out
- Keep Out Insects
- Troubleshooting
- Selecting the Right Composting System
- 6. Piles, Bins, and Tumblers
- Simple Piles
- Bins and Boxes
- Wire Cage
- Plastic Garden Composter
- Tumblers and Rotating Drums (Barrels)
- Food Waste Digester
- Windrow Composting
- Sheet Composting
- 7. Easy Composting
- Cut and Drop Method
- Leaf Mold
- Pit and Trench Composting
- Keyhole Composting
- Electric Composters (Food Digesters)
- 8. Vermicomposting
- Understanding Worms
- What Is Vermicompost?
- Selecting the Right Worms
- Worm Bins
- Worm Food
- Bedding Material
- Caring for Your Pets
- Troubleshooting
- Harvest Castings
- Using Vermicompost
- Vermicompost Tea
- Is Vermicompost Special?
- 9. Bokashi Composting
- The Fermentation Process
- Fermentation vs Composting
- The Bokashi Method
- The Power of Effective Microbes (EM)
- Brew Your Own EM Microbes
- Making Bokashi Bran
- Using Bokashi Leachate (Tea)
- Using Bokashi Ferment
- Soil Factory Using Bokashi Ferment
- Pros and Cons of Bokashi
- 10. Eco-enzyme (Garbage Enzymes)
- What is Eco-enzyme?
- Making Eco-enzyme
- Using Eco-enzyme Tea
- Using Eco-enzyme Ferment
- 11. Buying Compost
- Municipal Compost
- Biosolids (Sewage Sludge)
- Mushroom Compost
- 12. Compost Tea
- Types of Compost
- Claimed Benefits of Compost Tea
- What Does the Science Say
- 13. Selecting the Best Composting Method
- Environmental Concerns
- Mixing Composting Methods
- 14. Using Compost
- When Is Compost Finished?
- Should You Sift Compost?
- Mulching vs Burying
- Beware of High Carbon Compost
- Is Compost Safe for Vegetables?
- Amending Potting Soil
- Can You Use Too Much Compost?
- Storing Compost
- When Is the Best Time to Use Compost?
- Can Compost Make You Sick?
- Epilogue: Beware of Garden Myths
- Endnotes
- Index
- About the Author
- Also by the Author
- About New Society Publishers