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Compost: How to make and use organic compost to transform your garden
In this new edition of her hands-on guide to the art of composting, House & Garden garden editor, Clare Foster, shows you how to build a compost box, select the best ingredients and put the resulting organic compost to the best use in your outdoor space.By taking some dead leaves, grass cuttings and old banana skins and enlisting the help of bacteria, insects and nature, you can improve and enrich your soil, feed your plants and nourish your vegetables, restoring the natural balance of life in your garden.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 28, 2024
I have never been so inspired to compost. And now my little pile of kitchen waste and leaves is growing!
October 1, 2018
Not my usual read but I’ve been absolutely amazed by how thoughtful people are about their trash here on the west coast — even the pizzeria we went to today had a compost bin for paper plates and leftover crusts! This book came from our new public library (which happens to be surrounded by pine trees 😍) and was a quick and informative read about the science of composting (bacteria! worms!) and practical ways to set up a functional compost system for any type of garden or living space. Very informative....now to find some worms....
August 15, 2011
It's not often that I review a non-fiction book, but I wanted to give this one a mention as I recently finished it and actually learned a lot! Spring is approaching here in the Southern Hemisphere, and as such my head is full of gardening plans - I always get into this mode, but this year am hoping that because the kids are that little bit older, I can actually make a good effort at producing a lot of our own vegetables.
A friend recommended that I pick up this little book (very cheap at the Book Depository, by the way), and so I did.
Wow, there were a lot of things I did not know about compost. This book gives a great run down of everything involved - from how decomposition works, what makes up soil, how compost helps your garden, the kind of ways you can compost, and even what you can put in it (I was astonished to learn that you can put hair from your hairbrush, and even the contents of vacuum cleaner bags in!).
For a beginner like me, it was the perfect introduction to something that I've been putting in the 'too hard' basket for a little while. I was under the impression that compost smells (every time I think about starting, my husband brings this point up), but now know that is not the case.
If you are a gardener and haven't yet started composting, but have an interest in it, I recommend picking up this book. It's an easy to read tool that will help you get the most out of your garden, as well as reducing the amount of rubbish you send to the tip - so much can be reused in compost, which in turn enriches the soil and helps your crops. Well worth investing the time in.
A friend recommended that I pick up this little book (very cheap at the Book Depository, by the way), and so I did.
Wow, there were a lot of things I did not know about compost. This book gives a great run down of everything involved - from how decomposition works, what makes up soil, how compost helps your garden, the kind of ways you can compost, and even what you can put in it (I was astonished to learn that you can put hair from your hairbrush, and even the contents of vacuum cleaner bags in!).
For a beginner like me, it was the perfect introduction to something that I've been putting in the 'too hard' basket for a little while. I was under the impression that compost smells (every time I think about starting, my husband brings this point up), but now know that is not the case.
If you are a gardener and haven't yet started composting, but have an interest in it, I recommend picking up this book. It's an easy to read tool that will help you get the most out of your garden, as well as reducing the amount of rubbish you send to the tip - so much can be reused in compost, which in turn enriches the soil and helps your crops. Well worth investing the time in.
January 28, 2013
This little book was a great, quick read for an afternoon and amazingly taught me a lot of extra things about composting that I wasn't aware of.
Ever since starting my little family vege garden I have become obsessed with everything organic and to do with gardening in general. My compost bin is something that I was blindly trying to get going and hoping with crossed fingers that it would start to produce good material for my veges and now I have a new outlook of what to do to get it in optimal condition.
If you're a newcomer to home gardening and need a little bit of extra inspiration to feed your plants in a natural way I definitely recommend this book.
Ever since starting my little family vege garden I have become obsessed with everything organic and to do with gardening in general. My compost bin is something that I was blindly trying to get going and hoping with crossed fingers that it would start to produce good material for my veges and now I have a new outlook of what to do to get it in optimal condition.
If you're a newcomer to home gardening and need a little bit of extra inspiration to feed your plants in a natural way I definitely recommend this book.
February 9, 2021
What a fantastic introduction to the world of garden composting. I'm new to gardening; this book was a great insight into the world of soils, worms, fungi and bacteria and how to best harness their power to get the most of of your garden and capture soil carbon. I read this book straight through to start with but will refer back to specific parts as and when I need to. I already have my compost heap started and look forward to the results in months to come.
September 19, 2014
A very quick easy to read introduction to composting. Highly recommended for new gardeners and those with a budding interest in composting. Not too heavy or technical a read to put you off.
March 24, 2020
Hi!
A very good introduction to composting. I'd recommend it for new gardeners and for common understanding. Not too heavy or technical a read to put you off. It's also good way to start composting at flat. I use cmall compost bins for it (like this one www.bestadvisers.co.uk/kitchen-compos...).
Thank you a lot and good luck!
A very good introduction to composting. I'd recommend it for new gardeners and for common understanding. Not too heavy or technical a read to put you off. It's also good way to start composting at flat. I use cmall compost bins for it (like this one www.bestadvisers.co.uk/kitchen-compos...).
Thank you a lot and good luck!
August 28, 2020
I'm telling you, this is a great book about compost! I learned a lot, I had fun, and I love love LOVE when someone (like Clare Foster) can talk passionately about any given subject and be insightful and knowledgeable without making it into a competition. Knowledge is for sharing, and there's a consideration that everyone can find their own "best way"; so it is in compost, so it is in life.
July 27, 2019
Lots of good information. Many different ways to make compost and how to utilize it. Not only in your garden but also on your lawn. A good place to start I'd you are wondering how to start a compost pile or just want to do something with your kitchen scraps or yard waste.
November 22, 2017
Good basic book to save as a reference. Very basic.
October 11, 2022
This is a very good book for beginners.
Very quick and easy to understand.
Will be keeping this on my shelf in the greenhouse for referring to when I forget things.
Very quick and easy to understand.
Will be keeping this on my shelf in the greenhouse for referring to when I forget things.
March 8, 2015
Compost by Clare Foster is, as the title would lead you to believe, about compost.
It is suitable for the beginner to experienced gardener. Covers the biological processes involved to provide a framework for understanding the goings on in your compost and what to aim for; also addresses the falsely hyped 'hot compost' method as being the be-all and end-all of composting.
Worth a look; easy straight forward read.
It is suitable for the beginner to experienced gardener. Covers the biological processes involved to provide a framework for understanding the goings on in your compost and what to aim for; also addresses the falsely hyped 'hot compost' method as being the be-all and end-all of composting.
Worth a look; easy straight forward read.
April 11, 2016
Natural fertilizers have been around for thousands of years and produce healthier soil than modern chemical fertilizers. Compost covers the history, production, and use of organic fertilizers as well as discussing the composition of soil. This is a good reference for the home gardener.
May 27, 2009
Simple, easy read with lots of basic information. Exactly what I was looking for.
August 8, 2011
An excellent coverage of the subject, suitable for both beginners and more experienced gardeners. Covers a wide range of techniques, gives instruction and ideas on different methods.
October 27, 2011
This book taught me a lot about the natural processes that make composting happen. It also makes me want to get more into composting!
March 17, 2015
Great guide for the beginning composter.
March 4, 2016
It seems that somehow this book is both an introduction to compost and contains all you need to know (and then some).
January 9, 2017
Very interesting, look froward to better compost
June 17, 2008
Very nice guide to what to do and how to do it. Basic, easy.
September 18, 2018
Quick read on the basics of composting. As I’ve been composting for a few years, I had already read most of the material in the book. However, I did learn two or three new things that will help my efforts going forward.
March 22, 2019
My experiences with composting have ranged from frustrating to unmitigated disaster. If only I'd read Compost by Clare Foster sooner. I am now clear where I went wrong and, most importantly, clear on how to get it right going forward.
Compost clearly explains the science and various approaches in easily understood language.
I'm now informed and inspired. A quick, easy and stimulating book.
4/5
Compost clearly explains the science and various approaches in easily understood language.
I'm now informed and inspired. A quick, easy and stimulating book.
4/5
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews