The Rodale Book of CompostingDeborah L. Martin, Grace Gershuny As many states move to ban dumping of yard wastes in their landfills, even non-gardeners are looking for ways to dispose of grass clippings, autumn leaves, & tree trimmings. Composting solves this waste disposal dilemma by using organic waste to build soil fertility & organic matter without polluting groundwater, damaging soil structure, or wasting fossil fuels. This book offers readers an up-close look at composting, with helpful tips for apartment dwellers, suburbanites, farmers, & community leaders. An extensive list of compostable materials helps gardeners select the right ingredients for their compost piles. Plans for three different compost bins & descriptions of a variety of composting methods enable readers to choose techniques best suited to their needs. Readers will also learn how materials break down during composting, how earthworms & other organisms speed the process, & the benefits of composting to the health of the soil & the environment. |
Contents
Life inside a Compost Heap | 29 |
Chapter 5 | 75 |
Chapter 6 | 98 |
Copyright | |
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activity added aeration agricultural ammonia amounts anaerobic animal bacteria bedding bins biodynamic bottom C/N ratio calcium chemical compost heap compost materials compost pile composting methods composting operations composting process contain cottonseed meal crops decompose decomposition digester disease disposal dried earthworms farm farmers feed feet fertilizer finished compost fresh fungi garbage garden grass clippings green manure ground growing heat high-carbon holes home composters humic acids humus inches incinerator increase Indore kitchen scraps landfills lawn layer leaf leaves microbes micronutrients microorganisms minerals mixed moisture mulch municipal composting municipal solid waste nitrogen nutrients odors organic matter organic wastes phosphoric acid phosphorus plastic pomace potash potassium problems recycling residues roots sawdust seaweed sewage sludge sheet composting shredded shredder straw structure temperatures tion toxic turning vegetable waste composting weed seeds windrows wood worms yard waste