From growing cabbages in poo to the secrets of effective home composting, we cover both the most interesting (and sometimes pretty weird!) and useful news for composters.
15th March, 2025 If you’ve made compost from materials outside your garden, and nothing has grown in it, the problem could well be due to a hidden herbicide. While most traditional herbicides do break down in compost, there’s a new breed of herbicide which is far slower to do so. Contaminated manure has caused headaches […]
Herbicide Contamination in Compost: Risks, Research, Solutions Read More »
Scientists have discovered that applying relatively small amounts of vermicompost can improve germination rates, plant size, and growth speed—and there are some great lessons for gardeners buried in their study. The scientists experimented with the impact of the Californian compost worm, Eisenia andrei Bouche, on arugula plants. First, they created vermicompost over eight months, using
Scientists Report: Vermicompost Grows Plants 38% Taller Read More »
If your compost doesn’t get hot, don’t despair! A new study suggests that longer, cooler composting periods can create compost as good as compost produced at full heat levels. That said, there are several things you need to be aware of to achieve quality. The good thing is none of them require much extra effort.
Compost Slow? Science Says It Doesn’t Matter! Read More »
12th Feb 2025 New research has shown that many bagged peat-free composts struggle to produce good results. The research was conducted at the UK’s Stockbridge Technology Centre (STC), an independent agricultural and horticultural center of excellence. The researchers bought bagged compost from a variety of sources, including online retailers, garden centers, and DIY stores. To
Many Peat-Free Composts Don’t Make the Grade Says Research Facility Read More »
05/04/24 If you’re a composter, you’ll already know that turning compost can speed up decomposition and improve nutrient quality by introducing oxygen. It’s one reason the famous Berkeley method of composting involves turning compost every other or every third day. But could there be such a thing as too much turning? One study has put
Study Finds the Sweet Spot for Turning Compost Read More »
28/01/24 A new study from the Czech Republic has reinforced the remarkable benefits of surface-applied compost on soil health. Unlike traditional methods that involve tilling compost into the soil, this approach reinforces known benefits by applying stable, mature compost directly to the surface—a method that has shown significant improvements in soil properties over just two
Study Confirms Surface-Applied Compost Outshines Traditional Methods Read More »
01/25/2025 Bulking agents are essential for successful composting. They create air pockets to help oxygen-loving bacteria thrive, absorb excess moisture, and improve the structure of dense, wet material. Without them, composting can be slow and inefficient. Now a new study published in Nature.com has identified the best bulking agent for home composting – and it’s
Study Finds One Key Ingredient for Faster, Better Compost Read More »
In the dense, buzzing rainforests of Central and South America, an extraordinary story of mutual survival is unfolding in the canopies. Meet the Azteca ants and their Cecropia tree hosts—partners in one of nature’s most fascinating composting systems. A partnership built over millenia The Azteca-Cecropia relationship is a relationship that has developed over millions of
The Secret Compost Masters of the Tropics: Azteca Ants and Cecropia Trees Read More »
Back in the 19th century, Albert Howard, considered one of the fathers of composting, was a big fan of adding lime to compost. In recent decades, though, the practice has been discouraged by many composters who see it as unnecessary. After all, lime is alkaline. While compost goes through some major pH swings, it usually
Does Lime Really Speed Up Compost? Read More »
Would you ever use fresh compost in the garden? One friend of mine did, and used to wax lyrical about the benefit of free municipal compost. “It’s still hot, James – it warms the soil in the spring!” Much as I loved him, he was completely wrong in this case! Fresh compost can be high
Compost Maturity Matters: Why Fresh Isn’t Always Best Read More »