At a glance: A solid composting book by a true expert, Dowding’s years of experience shine through with practical advice. However, casual gardeners and those wishing for a wide range of composting techniques might wish to explore other options.
Full disclosure: I’m a huge fan of Charles Dowding. I discovered his website on NoDig well before he became internet-famous, and since then I’ve watched his videos, used his sowing calendar, and plant my seedlings in his sturdy, open-bottomed propagation trays. I’ve even gifted his book on No-Dig gardening to my neighbor and my dad.
So it’s going to be tricky to give a completely unbiased review, but I’ll do my best!
What’s in the book
In Compost: Transform Waste into New Life, Charles takes us on a thorough journey through composting in five sections:
- Why Gardens Need Compost
- How Composting Works
- What to Compost and How to Do It
- Your Composting Set-Up (covers options for all garden sizes)
- Troubleshooting
It’s a comprehensive overview, but how well does he deliver? Let’s find out.
What’s to like
Charles Dowding has been gardening professionally for decades, and his passion for it remains as strong as ever. Both the passion and the experience shine through in the book. He doesn’t just repeat the standard advice but instead shares what has worked for him – even if it challenges conventional wisdom.
For example, Charles recommends a 3:1 ratio of greens (high nitrogen materials) to browns (high carbon materials). This goes against most guides, but when I tested it with Compost Magazine’s Carbon-Nitrogen Ratio Calculator, the results were very sensible. He also debunks common composting myths, such as the idea that you can’t compost diseased plants, weeds, or citrus peels.
As the contents list suggests, the book starts with the “why” and “how” of composting. Charles covers the science, basic principles, and the different phases of decomposition. While this might not seem directly practical, understanding these foundations makes it far easier to take the right steps to produce great compost. What’s more, explanations of things such as the differences between fertilizer and compost could save you from making decisions that inadvertently harm your garden.
One feature I especially appreciated in the Kindle version is the hyperlinking between sections, which is very useful when you want to jump to a specific topic or revisit a section for a quick refresher.
What’s not to like
This book is ideal for enthusiastic gardeners who want to understand the “why” as well as the “how” of composting. However, casual gardeners looking for quick, actionable steps might find that navigating through Why Gardens Need Compost and How Composting Works before reaching the practical “how-to” sections feels like a slog.
If you’re familiar with Dowding’s videos and blog, you might miss the stunning visuals of his gardens. Still, the diagrams included are helpful, and it’s true compost piles don’t quite have the same aesthetic appeal as a vibrant no-dig garden.
Finally, the book focuses on tried-and-tested methods, which Dowding explains thoroughly. However, if you’re curious about more unconventional approaches – like Japanese cardboard box composting or keyhole gardening – you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Verdict
If you want to know how to make top-notch compost Dowding-style, Compost is an excellent resource. It debunks harmful myths, offers science and experience-backed advice, and teaches principles that will make you both a better composter and a better gardener. The depth of material ensures even experienced composters will learn something new, while beginners should see great results if they follow Dowding’s guidance.
That said, if you’re looking for something lighter on science, quicker to read, and packed with DIY plans, I’d recommend Michelle Balz’s Composting for a New Generation. It’s visually appealing, covers a variety of composting methods, and is loaded with easy-to-follow DIY projects. Just don’t ditch Dowding’s advice on Green:Brown ratios, which I think are far more practical than Balz’s!