Compost: The natural way to make food for your garden Hardcover – February 19, 2007

I love this book. It's short and easy to read, but is still based on a solid research foundation. The author presents the many ifs, ands, or buts of composting, but ends up with a very simple, easy to follow composting plan that is well suited for the typical household. If you want to do something more elaborate (like I do), there's information on how to do that too.The book is pretty small and short, but I think that's a virtue. Even if you're really interested in composting, how much do you really want to read? Overall, perfect book for the gardener who wants the practical advice and enough background to feel educated about the topic, without doing enough work to earn a PhD in the subject.

I knew a little, needed to know more, but didn't want a lecture or course on it. This book is just right. Good size, enough info but not too much. Nicely presented. The author equipped me to get going and challenged me to do better than I was without putting me on a quilt trip. Fair price. Good choice.

This is really easy to read and has plenty of useful information. It's great for reading with you kids since it has so many pictures. I'm sure there are other books that get more technical, but this one makes a great quick reference for the average gardener.

SAME AS EVERY OTHER BOOK ON COMPOSTING, BUT WITH A DIFFERANT PRINTING AND PAPER FORMAT. THE IMAGES ARE JUST OK.

This is a great book! Thompson is clever and writes with a touch of humor--for example, he talks about how you should let weeds dry out before you add them to the compost, but he adds that you can drown them for 6 weeks, or suffocate them for a year (43). Later, when talking about tumbler bins, Thompson says you'll need to turn them pretty often and adds, "Will you do that, or will it turn out like the exercise bike that you promised you would use every day that is now gathering dust in the attic?" (126). His writing style makes him an author that seems very easy to relate to.This book is very modern looking. About half of the book is pictures, with relevant captions. The style looks modern, but the pictures are also useful for understanding what he is talking about (eg, different types of compost boxes and so forth).Thompson does a great job of describing WHAT compost is, and HOW to compost. He discusses tools (a garden fork, bucket, and pruners are most important), when to use a bin and when not to, how to pick a compost bin, how to build a compost bin, and where to put it. The book also discusses worm bins, how to use compost once it's ready, why you should NOT DIG your compost into the soil (unless you just want exercise and fresh air!), and how to make potting mix. Finally, the author discusses green manure (which is crops that are grown just for a little while, so that they can decompose and enrich the soil they're planted in), and he talks about how sometimes you may not actually need a compost pile. The book finishes with a troubleshooting section and a list of useful websites.The author reassures readers over and over again that they are capable of composting, so you finish the book with a feeling that you're up to the task, and with a pretty good idea of how to get started. I think this book is a good introduction to composting. The other comment about woody material is kind of right--Thompson does seem to keep mentioning it, but I don't think it detracts from the book at all. For me, I felt a little overwhelmed with the Carbon:Nitrogen discussions; but then you'd turn the page and Thompson would simplify things into conclusions that make sense.Overall, this is a pleasant (and beautiful!), fast read, with enough information to get readers excited about composting (and without overwhelming them).

This may be the first nonfiction book I ever read all the way through.It's not long, but it's very informative. And can I overemphasize? it's EASY, EASY, EASY.The lady that said it was confusing, it's really not. It's true that he waffles a bit on woody waste, but that's where you have to make the most decisions about whether or not to use the waste and how much to use. He wants you to think before you act. The bottom line is, avoid using gobs of it in your compost but a little bit (especially shredded) is OK. If you have lots of it, make a separate pile for it. It will just take longer to break down.What he does is take the MYSTERY of composting and simplify it so that anyone can do it. Patience is his motto. Eventually you'll get compost.He tells you how to use crumpled paper and "green" waste (like kitchen scraps and lawn clippings) to make compost. No need to worry about turning the pile ever; no need to add stuff you have to buy at the nursery. He recommends some kind of bin, but even straight on the ground, eventually you'll get compost.He also makes the subject fun to read about. Like the part about worm farms--for pet lovers only, he says. If you wouldn't want to raise hamsters or rabbits, don't raise worms.I have always been deterred by complicated composting instructions before. I'm not an avid gardener, but the current economic situation is changing my mind and practices. Now I feel like I can start composting all this junk I used to cram into the trash can.