The Science of Compost: Life, Death and Decay in the Garden

by Julian Doberski

The Science of Life Death and Decay in the Garden takes you on a journey into the underworld of composting. Doberski explains the science of what goes on but also promotes interest in the living organisms who provide the ‘hard graft’ of transforming waste organic matter. It can be hard to envisage the hundreds, thousands or millions of different organisms involved but The Science of Compost reveals the secrets of this hidden world. Gardeners are familiar with the magic of compost and it is easy to see what goes in – organic waste – and what comes out – wonderful, friable and fertile compost – but what magic causes that to happen? Doberski explains what kind of ‘mysterious’ and complex chemical, physical and biological processes contribute to make composting effective. He covers the structural nature of decaying and dead plant material, the micro-organisms and invertebrates contributing to decomposition, and the combination of chemical, physical and biological factors which determine rates of decay. Although not a practical manual of composting, by explaining the science of what goes on in composting Doberski provides pointers to gardeners for getting composting right.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction

112 pages, Paperback

Published November 11, 2022

Reviews

[Christine Kayser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just started my first compost heap, and I was looking to learn more about the process. I've seen infographics on the mix of layers and types of things you can and can't add to compost, but I was looking for tangible steps I could take to make my compost pile successful.

The book reads like a textbook - it's essentially a long research paper on composting. It's fascinating, but the type is small and you have to be in the mindset of reading a scientific research text. I learned so much I wasn't expecting to. Most of it wasn't actionable - for example, what types of organisms will inhabit my compost pile. But it was interesting nonetheless.

The last section of the book had the most useful and tactical information, in my opinion. As a new composter, it was really helpful to understand the four key elements of a successful, balanced compost pile and how to alter them to get the best results. It included the science behind *why* each of the elements has to be balanced against the others, which was far more helpful - and I think sunk into my brain better - than simple infographics about composting.

I definitely feel that I understand the science of compost much more now, even if some of the more research-heavy sections had my eyes glazing over. I'm still interested in reading a more tactical guide (add this to increase nitrogen, or turn your compost pile once every X weeks, etc.), but this level of scientific detail was interesting, if not immediately applicable.

[Sarah Ensor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an accessible, enthusiastic guide to compost as a dynamic transient ecosystem. It explains the process, the various reactions of soil, plants and their constituants and wants to encourage more of us to compost. 

There is a magic to composting, no matter how much we know about optimum conditions and the names and needs of tiny animals and organisms doing much of the work, the transformation of stinking vegetable waste into soft black potting material is continually amazing. It also reminds me that  composting even in a small urban backyard can dramatically improve local biodiversity.

[Dawn White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the library hoping it would educate me a bit on composting, as I am planning to start a veggie garden and know nothing about gardening. It was not a very easy read, as it was like
reading a scientific paper, but I do feel like I understand how composting works now, even though I am still none the wiser about the everyday steps to take (as a beginner) to start and nurture a compost heap.

[Annie]

This was cool ! I love compost