Composting is a fascinating but complex process that involves chemical reactions, bacteria, fungi and multiple organisms. To be clear, you don’t need to understand the science of compost to be able to make compost! You may find, however, that an appreciation of the subtleties does make you a better composter. What is composting? There’s no […]
The Science of Composting: How Compost Happens Read More »
Hair. Dead chickens. Fish. I’ve composted them all. In fact, if your pile or bin maintains a temperature of at least 130-160°F (55-70°C), you can compost almost anything that’s recently been alive. Even if it’s not hot, you might be surprised at the number of things you can turn into compost. From garden waste to
What You Can Compost: From Everyday Items To The Bizarre… Read More »
So you want to know more about compost? You’ve come to the right place! In this guide, you’ll find a brief overview of what compost is, along with lots of links to more in-depth guides to explore at your leisure. (If you’d prefer to learn more about how compost is made, see our companion guide:
“The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt There was a time when scientists thought agriculture was simple. You added fertilisers, plants used the fertilisers to grow. But the more we study soil, the more we learn about the interconnection between soil, plants and food It’s a fascinating, complicated subject. And while
23 Benefits of Compost Backed by Science Read More »
You don’t need many tools to make compost. As long as you’ve got something to collect your compost in (wheelbarrow, caddy or even a bag or sack), somewhere to put it and something to turn it with, you can make compost. But additional compost tools can be useful for: There are quite a few tools
Compost Tools for Better, Faster Compost Read More »
There’s plenty of interest in organic compost – and plenty of shops selling it. But in my research for this article, I’ve found plenty of pitfalls too. The very definition of organic compost is questionable, and not all organic compost is good for the environment. Some gardeners assume that organic compost is also peat-free –
Organic Compost: Black Gold or Commercial Hype? Read More »
A few years ago, a man knocked on my house door when I was at work. My wife answered. ‘I’ve got a trailer full of shit here for you.” (It was a big trailer.) She wasn’t very happy. When she asked me why I hadn’t asked her first, I asked her if she would have
Manure in Compost: A Cautionary Tale Read More »
Want to get rid of cooked food at home or in the garden? Don’t have enough waste for a hot composter, and don’t like the idea of having a worm bin? If that’s you, you might well be considering getting a Bokashi bin. But hold your horses! First off, you might want to know how
Bokashi Bins: A Complete Beginner’s Guide Read More »
Think the history of compost is boring? Think again. In this article you’ll find bones stolen from graveyards and battlefields to fertilise Yorkshire fields. You’ll find Egyptians facing death for stealing earthworms and ancient people using blood to fertilise their gardens. You’ll also find some sound principles and solutions that could well help us in
Compost History: The Fascinating Story of an Ancient Science Read More »
I think wooden compost bins are my favorite bins of all. And that’s nothing to do with their insulating properties—it’s all about their looks. Wooden compost bins look great, and they make it easier to build a compost pile without it collapsing into a mess. I have three pallet bins in my garden, which I
Best Wooden Compost Bins: DIY & Store-Bought Picks Read More »