How to Build, Maintain & Use a Compost System: Secrets & Techniques You Need to Know to Grow the Best Vegetables

Really great book. Learnt so much to help set up our own composting system. Thank you

The "perfect" book on home composting hasn't been written yet, but for now, this is as good as it gets. Closer to 5 stars than 4. The book both motivational and instructive. It's easy to read and follow even for someone new to composting, yet even someone experienced in many composting methods will find some good new tips and variations on old techniques. It contains well thought out reasons why home composting is important for our environment and beneficial to the home gardener, and clear explanations of many composting methods to choose from based on individual needs and capabilities. There's even a quite workable composting system suitable for display in one's living room! There are a few oversimplifications, mostly in the first couple chapters, but these are quite minor compared with the accurate, concise, logical instructions given on selecting and and implementing simple, manageable and productive composting systems. The pros and cons of various methods are very well explained. I'm a detail-oriented composter, so, for example, I would have preferred to see scientific names (genus & species) as well as common names for several of the more important "decomposers" (organisms such as bacteria, fungi, worms, arthropods, etc. that contribute to the process of breaking down organic matter into "finished" compost ready to be used in the garden), but Smith's descriptions of the roles of these organisms are clear and correct. The book doesn't delve very far into soil science, but that's not its purpose. I occasionally give talks on composting and will definitely be listing Smith's book as one of my references and recommendations for purchase. The illustrations are of quite satisfactory quality in the Kindle version.

I am a newbie gardener, and this really helped me better understand the process of composting. I'm no expert, but I feel a lot more confident in starting this up. This book is full of how-to instructions with step-by-step lists for building compost bins or areas. It features a trouble shooting section that you can flip to if/when you run into an issue with your system. It also includes the chemical process and what to use (not use) for materials in your pile. There is also a chapter on worms and vermicomposting, which I don't think I'll do, but was interesting to read anyway. This is a 10 Chapter Book with a few appendices. Pictures (black and white) and some diagrams are included. Great buy! I would highly recommend I don't feel like I need another book on composting. This really seems to have it all.

just getting started reading it but appears to have great information

Me educó mucho