Composting For Dummies

by Cathy Cromell, The National Gardening Association (Editor)

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

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening, Science, How To, Reference

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2010

Reviews

[Lila · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is great for the beginning compost lady (or man.) But who cares about men?!

[Joseph Inzirillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book if you know nothing about composting. Our compost pile has decomposed evenly and with an earthy aroma ever since I started reading this. Not all sections will apply but the information provided is both interesting and invaluable. Excellent buy for a novice composter or for anyone just wanting to learn more.

[Aprilleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally like the For Dummies books. Despite the name, the information is typically thorough without being overwhelming, with advanced or pickier details clearly marked. This book was no exception. The details for building bins (including a vermicomposting set-up) are a little light compared to the detailed instructions I’ve seen elsewhere (photos and diagrams make a huge difference), but it’s not too difficult to figure it out. The troubleshooting sections are outstanding. I would have liked to see well-formatted lists of what you should and should not compost, but the chapter on that topic is well written otherwise. Great choice for a new composter or someone who was taught by a family member and wants to understand more about it.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This guide to composting was a bit basic, ironically moreso than other "for Dummies" books I've read. I wanted to see a bit more about types of containers, for example. Other composting books I have read were more thorough about types of items to put in your compost. This book seems more like a quick start manual, which just wasn't what I was looking for.

[Bernard Martis · Rating 1 out of 5]

This cash grab is a sorry excuse for a book, let alone a For Dummies primer. The information was sparse. The writing was deliberately repetitive, designed to pad paragraphs instead of inform. I have read 3 page pamphlets that were a lot more informative.

I would recommend “Let it Rot” or a municipality composting guide over this travesty.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Focus primarily on compost for people with yard gardens and outdoor space for bins/piles but still does offer very helpful information for people who want or need to compost inside (apartment residents for example). Included directions for DIY as well as recommendations for pre-manufactured items.

[Rebecca Beck]

Very helpful. Has good plans for building.

[Deb cambria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned a lot

[lalo vera · Rating 3 out of 5]

well if i mess up composting it’s this book’s fault

notes: cpl, libby

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just bought a compost tumbler and am very new to this. The book was a big help. Wish me luck!

[KAREN · Rating 4 out of 5]

great for a beginner like me.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I want to get a giant thing of worms and have them ravenously devour my food scraps.

[Dixie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's complicated!

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, I wasn't crazy about book's format.

[Ben Kellermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

**