Compost Magazine

Composting tips, advice and science.

Compost Science

The process of how compost is made – and how it benefits soil and plants – is fascinating. It’s also useful, as an awareness can help you create faster compost, better soil and healthy, luxurious plants.

If you’re new to the science of composting, we suggest starting with The Science of Compost – How Compost Happens!

Pouring cooking oil into a hole made in the straw and the compost.

Researchers May Have Just Discovered A New Composting Hack – Cooking Oil!

18th May 2023 Imagine you had a simple kitchen ingredient in your cupboard that could make your compost hotter, enhance its nutritional value, AND reduce harm to the environment. If a new Japanese study is right, the cooking oil you use every day could be that ingredient! The researchers had already identified that adding cooking …

Researchers May Have Just Discovered A New Composting Hack – Cooking Oil! Read More »

A tractor turns over compost in an industrial composting facility.

How Composting Could Be A Game-Changer In The Fight Against Carbon Emissions

14th May 2022 Every time we finish a meal, and throw food scraps away in the trash, we’re contributing to a massive global problem.  Over one-third of our human food waste is trashed – and the emissions that waste produces are helping to kill our planet.  However, a new study just published in Nature has …

How Composting Could Be A Game-Changer In The Fight Against Carbon Emissions Read More »

A scientist peers at healthy green and red tomatoes hanging down from a plant.

Are Your Plants Suffering from Climate Change? Scientists Have a Solution

2nd May 2023 Gardeners and farmers alike are suffering from the effects of climate change.  As heat waves sweep across the world, water levels are dropping – and tomato yields are particularly affected.  However, a new study may have the answer – at least for tomatoes.  Morrocan researchers compared the use of conventional chemical fertilizers …

Are Your Plants Suffering from Climate Change? Scientists Have a Solution Read More »

Digital art images of viruses.

Uncovering the Secret Role of Viruses in Hot Composting: New Study Reveals Surprising Findings

A new study has uncovered the secret role of viruses in breaking down organic matter in compost. While bacteria are known to play a major role in nutrient cycling, researchers have often overlooked the role of viruses in composting. Using advanced techniques, scientists have delved into the impact of compost bacteria and their viruses during …

Uncovering the Secret Role of Viruses in Hot Composting: New Study Reveals Surprising Findings Read More »

Carrots lying on a small mound of compost.

Compost Is Secret To Growing More Nutritious Veg Says New Study

5th April 2023 In a groundbreaking new study, researchers have discovered that using compost can significantly improve both the growth and nutritional quality of vegetables, specifically carrots. The scientists behind the study were experimenting with a compost that had been made at high temperatures.  The compost used in the study contained the bacteria Baccillus, a …

Compost Is Secret To Growing More Nutritious Veg Says New Study Read More »

Wood chips in compost.

Researchers Unveil Secrets to Effective Home Composting

30th March, 2023 Bulking agents key to effective composting – scientists identify the best ones to use As global warming and waste management continue to dominate headlines, a team of Greek researchers has identified some of the keys to efficiently transforming food-waste into quality compost within just 21 days.  The research highlights the urgent need …

Researchers Unveil Secrets to Effective Home Composting Read More »

Mixture of green and brown material in a compost bin.

Get to Know Your Organic Materials: C:N Ratio Tables for Effective Composting

In our guide to the Carbon: Nitrogen ratio, we took an in-depth look at the role of the essential nutrients in composting.  As discussed there, you CAN compost with a wide range of C: N ratios.  Moreover, while you can calculate exact ratios, it’s complex, time-consuming and probably far more involved than the average home …

Get to Know Your Organic Materials: C:N Ratio Tables for Effective Composting Read More »

Front cover of Compost Science for Gardeners.

Compost Science for Gardeners: Can Robert Pavlis’ Book Help You Create a Thriving Garden?

Compost science is a fascinating topic, but getting a decent grasp of it online often means wading through realms of densely written material.  Simply put, science-based articles on compost are rarely written for the layperson.  So when I was recently offered a copy of “Compost Science for Gardeners: Simple Methods for Nutrient Rich Soil” for …

Compost Science for Gardeners: Can Robert Pavlis’ Book Help You Create a Thriving Garden? Read More »