How to Make and Use Compost: The Ultimate Guide

by Nicky Scott

Composting is easy, fun, saves you money and helps you to grow lovely plants. This book shows you how to compost everything that can be composted – at home, work or school, and in spaces big or small. It features a comprehensive A–Z guide, which includes what you can and can’t compost, concepts and techniques, and common problems and solutions.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[H. Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scott's guide to composting is very well written and covers a lot of ground -- from balcony composting to full-on commercial composting. For someone like me who is new to medium-scale composting, the book is filled with plenty of accessible science (although Scott reminds us he's not a scientist, he, like a farmer, has a better, more practical grasp of nature than folk who spend their time in Monsanto labs). I measure books like this based on the number of "wow, that makes sense, but I never would have thought of that" moments I experience while reading. Who knew that diluted urine was a great compost activator? Or that removing the lid for a bit so that predatory beetles can enter helps control small flies?

Once read, you memorize all the information. Not necessary to own, but it's a great library book to have available.

[Amelia Stefanac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book on composting, covers many methods and vessels. I enjoyed the focus on community composting initiatives as well as school-based projects. Plenty of resources provided for further reading and online learning.
I wished the author had provided more citations throughout the story. Also to note for American readers, the writer is based in the UK I believe so many of the products he mentions and compares may not be available for sale.

[Heidi Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative, engaging and practical. Lots of info, some is read before but enough new to be worth while. A lot on commercial systems but not sure how much applies out of the UK. Wish all the photo were color and that it had a little more organization/less redundancy. Good addition to the gardening library.