The Organic Book of Compost

by Pauline Pears

Easy, organic composting is now at your fingertips! Whether you have a full-size garden or a balcony in the city, you can recycle your household waste in an environmentally efficient manner. This book covers everything from wormeries to community composting, and is packed with trouble-shooting advice. Learn the sustainable, low-cost way to producing rich, fertile soil in your own backyard.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Nature

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 11, 2013

Reviews

[Laurie Garrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve tried my hand a composting in the past and failed so when I came across this book I had to try it and now I feel like I have a technique that will help me achieve my composting goal this year.

This book gives you several different composting techniques and goes into detail about each one so there is something for everyone that wants to try their hand at composting.

This book would help everyone that is into learning more about composting.

[George Ilsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

How exciting is compost? In times of global turmoil, it is always refreshing to pause and think about nourishing your local soil.

This book is very well organized, and covers topics such as the various types of compost bins, worm composting, what to do with woody branches and invasive weeds. Includes a handy list explaining what can and cannot be composted by each compost method.

Yes, I read it from cover to cover. There is a section on winter composting; in the author's climate the ground does not seem to freeze solid. However, enterprising Canadian composters have developed their own work-arounds, and this dedicated soil nurturer composts all year round — even if that means storing material outside in nature's freezer until spring.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, high-level overview of the whys and hows of backyard composting, including sections on different methods and containers, and a good list of what you can toss in your compost bin. I liked the info on the science of compost (microorganisms, why it heats up, etc.). If you're already composting you're not likely to find too much new info here, but if you're just starting up or considering composting, this is a good beginning resource.

[Cheryl Gatling]

I was looking at books on compost at the library, and I chose this one because of its gorgeous photographs. I was seduced. But I did not regret it. Ms Pears talks about the benefits of composting, then the basics of how to make a backyard heap. She covers the various styles of composters you can build or buy. She covers worm composting, bokashi composting (something new to me), green cone composting, trench composting, and what to do with large amounts of weeds, or grass clippings, or apples. She gets a little bit into the science of decomposers, with photos of some not-so-gorgeous worms and insects.

As the saying goes, compost happens. Organic matter will decay and return to the soil, no matter what. But expert advice can make the process less messy, less smelly, and make the end product more useful for the garden. And this book makes the expert advice go down easily.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great advice! I learned a lot.

[Jennifer Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a recent convert to gardening, and someone confronting the task of composting with a degree of awe, I found Pauline Pears’s The Organic Book of Compost a very useful introduction.

The version I read was an advance copy and so the formatting wasn’t perfect. I can’t, therefore, criticise the graphics and flow charts on such things as what you can compost or what kind of compost heap you should have, but nor can I praise them for their usefulness as the were impossible to follow. But i will say that as far as I could tell they looked as if they might be very handy.

That apart, I felt the book was good at demystifying the composting process. (I now know what rookie mistakes I’ve made and how to put them right.) I felt that some of the introductory material wasn’t really necessary — for example, there was a longish section extolling the virtues of organic gardening, most of which is common sense if not common knowledge.

Overall a good and useful guide, clearly written and easy to understand.

Thanks to Netgalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for the 2nd edition...not listed here.

Disclaimer: I received a partial download of this book from NetGallery in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Normally when I download from NetGallery, I get the entire book. I did this three times and only received the first 91 pages, so my review is simply of those pages.

I have recently begun composting and found this a very helpful resource...especially for what is appropriate to put in your pile and percentages. I found that I have been adding too many grass clippings, so I need to dispose of them in a different way for a good strong composting result.

There are great ideas on different ways to compost, based on your space, needs, etc.

I recommend this for the beginner, like me. I only wish the entire book had downloaded.

[Stephen Inoue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pauline Pears does a good job of covering the basics when it comes to composting. There is no mention of black soldier fly composting but pretty much everything else is covered.

I've been doing worm composting and I've been thinking about expanding into hot composting or going with the green cone system. The variety of bins and the ability to make your own is appealing to me. I appreciate the in depth coverage on how to do so (uses UK metric so not sure the lumber listed is useful to the US w/out adapting to our backwards system).

Lots of pretty pictures. I had hoped for a bit more science in the explanations. The list of insects you'll find in compost is helpful as this book helps to explain their role.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

British publication so some of the references are not applicable but this is a great introduction to composting and I learned a few new things to try plus found explanations for why some things I've done or didn't do to my compost worked (or not).

[Scott Lupo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on composting that can help anyone get started. Learned some new techniques like the Bokashi method. Good list of what can and cannot be composted and how to use your compost.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several methods of composting are covered as well as where to set up and how to use; includes lists of items for composting.

[Gaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! So informative! Just what you need for all your basic compost questions.

Granted, this is an UK book, some things may not be relevant/easy to find in American communities.

[Negah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful intro book with great images

[Madison Esparza - Crego · Rating 5 out of 5]

The interface of the book is great, very organized, broken up into simple categories, easy to follow, and pleasing to the eye. Learned a thing or two! Thx

[Patty Champion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very informative. I had quite a few questions on composting and it answered all of them.

Thank you netgalley and chapel publishing for allowing me to read this title for an honest.

[Traci Wilmoth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for those new to composting. It covers information about the benefits, and the different types of compost, what can and cannot be composted, etc. I have read about composting before, but I learned many new things from this book as well. It is amazing and 40% of all of our trash can be composted, That is a huge amount of waste we can keep out of our landfills. Good photos and illustrations to enhance the content. This is definitely a book I would want in my homesteading and urban farming collection.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very detailed and gorgeously illustrated step-by-step guide to composting. This book details why we should compost, how to get started (including how to build your own compost bin), the science behind it and what do do with the compost you've created. This is a must have if you're thinking about starting to compost or want to improve on your technique.

Thank you to #NetGalley and IMM Lifestyle Books for allowing me to read an advance copy of this Revised Edition in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is clear and well-illustrated. It describes many options for compost bins; cheap, expensive, diy, open, sealed. As a novice composter, I appreciated the clear explanations of different types of matter and how they, along with moistness, effect the balance of the decomposition. My oldest has been bugging us to start a compost bin, preferably with worms. Now to decide if it should be near the garden or near the future chicken coop...

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been flipping through a lot of books on composting and this was definitely the most useful. Pears does a great job giving the reader all the information you might need to start composting no matter what size operation you are going to set up. There are also a lot of pictures and illustrations to complement the very readable text. This is a great place to start if you are interested in composting.

[Cait · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely helped me decide how/where and what to start with. Changed what I viewed as compostable and what I viewed as toss out garbage. Anyone who gardens should check this out and see what they can use to make their gardens healthier.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I very good how to book for the starting up composter. I did like how the book showed different compost set ups.

[VSM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will stay as a constant reference on my garden bookshelf!