Compost Science for Gardeners - Robert Pavlis

Compost Science for Gardeners

Simple Methods for Nutrient-Rich Soil

(Autor)

Buch | Softcover
224 Seiten
2023
New Society Publishers (Verlag)
978-0-86571-976-7 (ISBN)
21,15 inkl. MwSt
Compost Science for Gardeners demystifies the full range of composting methods and helps readers determine or select the best technique for their situation. This comprehensive, plain-language, science-based book covers everything from the inputs required to the beneficial impacts on the environment and soil health.
Create your own compost and grow better plants.


With breathtaking clarity, Compost Science for Gardeners demystifies composting practices and helps readers determine the best technique for their unique situation. This comprehensive science-based book is your key to building healthier soil and growing better plants.


Using plain language and easy-to-follow instructions, this essential resource distills and blends the latest scientific research with the author's many decades of knowledge and experience into manageable form, debunking a host of common gardening myths along the way. Learn about:




The role of composting in the ecological cycle
Compostable materials to incorporate and those to avoid
Browns and greens vs the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio
The full range of composting methods, including cold and hot composting; composting in piles, bins, and tumblers; and pit and trench composting
Keyhole gardening, food digesters, vermicomposting, bokashi, eco-enzyme fermentation, and more
The relative merits and impact on the environment of each composting technique
Using finished compost to improve soil health


Anyone can compost. Whether you are a balcony or backyard gardener, market gardener, small-scale farmer, or homesteader, or even if you are simply looking for a way to keep organic matter out of the landfill, this book will show you how to do it simply, safely, and sensibly.

Robert Pavlis is a Master Gardener with over 45 years' experience in the art and science of horticulture, with a particular focus on soil chemistry and health. He is the owner and developer of Aspen Grove Gardens, a 6-acre botanical garden featuring 3,000 varieties of plants. A sought-after speaker, and lecturer, Robert has published many articles in magazines such as Mother Earth News and Ontario Gardening. He maintains two widely read blogs – gardenfundamentals.com and gardenmyths.com – and a popular YouTube channel with nearly 50,000 subscribers. Robert is the author of Plant Science for Gardeners, Soil Science for Gardeners and Building Natural Ponds. He resides in Guelph, Canada.

1. Introduction

What Is Compost?

Why Should Everyone Compost

Myths About Composting

Definitions


2. The Role of Compost in Soil

Benefits of Composting

The Microorganism Myth

What Is Soil Health?

What Is Soil?

Plant Nutrients

Tilling

Mulching


3. The Science of Composting

The Reality of Composting

The Hot Composting Process

Understanding Microbes

The Role of Macroorganisms

What Role Do Worms Play?

Heat Kills Pathogens

Heat Kills Weed Seeds

How Long Does It Take?

The Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio

Cold vs Medium vs Hot

Chemical Properties of Compost

Loss of Plant Nutrients

Humus

When Is Compost Ready?


4. Compostable Material

Good Composting Material

Controversial Composting Material

Bad Composting Material


5. Managing the Composting Process

Location

Storing Input Ingredients

Air

Water

Turning

Shred Input Material

The Curing Stage

Using Activators

Nitrogen Sources

Winter Time

Two Is Better than One

Speeding Up the Process

Keep Animals Out

Keep Out Insects

Troubleshooting

Selecting the Right Composting System


6. Piles, Bins, and Tumblers

Simple Piles

Bins and Boxes

Wire Cage

Plastic Garden Composter

Tumblers and Rotating Drums (Barrels)

Food Waste Digester

Windrow Composting

Sheet Composting


7. Easy Composting

Cut and Drop Method

Leaf Mold

Pit and Trench Composting

Keyhole Composting

Electric Composters (Food Digesters)


8. Vermicomposting

Understanding Worms

What Is Vermicompost?

Selecting the Right Worms

Worm Bins

Worm Food

Bedding Material

Caring for Your Pets

Troubleshooting

Harvest Castings

Using Vermicompost

Vermicompost Tea

Is Vermicompost Special?


9. Bokashi Composting

The Fermentation Process

Fermentation vs Composting

The Bokashi Method

The Power of Effective Microbes (EM)

Brew Your Own EM Microbes

Making Bokashi Bran

Using Bokashi Leachate (Tea)

Using Bokashi Ferment

Soil Factory Using Bokashi Ferment

Pros and Cons of Bokashi


10. Eco-enzyme (Garbage Enzymes)

What is Eco-enzyme?

Making Eco-enzyme

Using Eco-enzyme Tea

Using Eco-enzyme Ferment


11. Buying Compost

Municipal Compost

Biosolids (Sewage Sludge)

Mushroom Compost


12. Compost Tea

Types of Compost

Claimed Benefits of Compost Tea

What Does the Science Say


13. Selecting the Best Composting Method

Environmental Concerns

Mixing Composting Methods


14. Using Compost

When Is Compost Finished?

Should You Sift Compost?

Mulching vs Burying

Beware of High Carbon Compost

Is Compost Safe for Vegetables?

Amending Potting Soil

Can You Use Too Much Compost?

Storing Compost

When Is the Best Time to Use Compost?

Can Compost Make You Sick?


Epilogue: Beware of Garden Myths


Endnotes

Index

About the Author

Also by the Author

About New Society Publishers

Erscheinungsdatum
Reihe/Serie Garden Science Series
Zusatzinfo 25 Illustrations, black and white
Verlagsort Gabriola Island
Sprache englisch
Maße 152 x 229 mm
Gewicht 354 g
Themenwelt Sachbuch/Ratgeber Gesundheit / Leben / Psychologie
Sachbuch/Ratgeber Natur / Technik Garten
Naturwissenschaften Biologie Mikrobiologie / Immunologie
ISBN-10 0-86571-976-4 / 0865719764
ISBN-13 978-0-86571-976-7 / 9780865719767
Zustand Neuware
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