The Complete Compost Gardening Guide

Compost should be a part of every garden. The Complete Compost Gardening Guide by Barbara Pleasant & Deborah L. Martin is the most comprehensive guide to composting that I have seen. Your plants will thank you for reading this book.

The book begins with a section on "Gardening in Garbage". The authors first detail why you should compost in your garden. You will learn about beneficial insects (crickets like to eat weed seeds, so should be encouraged), bacteria and fungi. I had never thought of the few potential health threats from compost.

Next is "Tools for the Composter's Garden". Need to know the difference between pointed-blade, rounded-blade, and square-blade shovels? You'll find it here, along with a wealth of information concerning a wide variety of tools.

Now that you have the tools, you are ready for "Materials for the Composter's Garden". This is the longest section (80 pages). You'll find out everything from the 12 Rules of Raking to the characteristics of llama manure.

Part Two showcases the different methods you can use to compost.

• "Banner Batches" - should you piles, heaps, bins or pens?


• "Comforter Compost and Grow Heaps"-also known as no-till composting or lasagna gardening.


• "Composting Underground in Craters, Trenches, and Holes"-one huge benefit of these methods is lack of odor.


• "Catch-and-Release Vermicomposting"-composting with worms.


• "Making the Most of Your Compost"-screening, compost teas, and more.

Finally, in Part Two we learn about the interactions between plants and compost. Common vegetables and fruits are profiled and discussed.

The Complete Compost Gardening Guide by Barbara Pleasant & Deborah L. Martin is a great resource for compost gardening. You will be making compost in no time.