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!
As you may already know, biochar in compost has major benefits. We’ve written about it in depth before, but in short these benefits include: What we haven’t known until now is when to add it! However, a recent study has tested two different timings, leaving us with clear guidance as to the best time to […]
Study Reveals When to Add Biochar for Faster, Better Compost Read More »
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 »
Even in my relatively mild climate, winter temperatures occasionally dip as low as -7°C (19°F), and the surface of compost can freeze. While it’s not a frequent occurrence here, I know many composters live in much colder regions and wonder what happens when their compost piles freeze over. Fortunately, even when your compost seems to
Frozen Compost? Don’t Panic—Here’s What’s Happening Inside 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 »
Have you ever noticed all the gardening tips that flood tabloids at the start of the gardening seasoning? You know the sort of thing – “This one tip will supercharge your plants says expert” and the like. One that made the rounds this year was the use of coffee grounds, with ‘experts’ advising us to
The Garden’s Barista? Worms’ Impact On Coffee Grounds 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 »
When I worked in Thailand at the start of the century, I was told that local farmers divided their land into two sections. The first section was where they grew crops for sale. These were grown in the modern way, using pesticides and fertilizers. The second was a smaller patch, where they grew their own
Is Compost-Grown Veg Better For You? Here’s What The Science Says Read More »