Composting Inside and Out: The comprehensive guide to reusing trash, saving money and enjoying the benefits of organic gardening

by Stephanie Davies

Overview

Rethink Your Refuse

Hundreds of millions of tons of solid waste are produced in the U.S. annually, and the landfills simply store it, not eliminate it. Recycling diverts significant amounts of waste, but the fact remains that the majority of landfill space is occupied by organic material. The good news is composting is a natural and beneficial way to eliminate this waste, and anyone can do it.

Whether you live on a farm, in the suburbs or a city apartment, composting is possible. Composting Inside and Out will introduce you to the essentials and explore various methods of indoor and outdoor composting to help you find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.

Inside you'll find:

   • A compete overview of the composting process
   • Advice on finding the right equipment
   • Step-by-step instruction for fourteen different composting methods
   • Ideas for using the soil you produce
   • Quick answers to common problems
Whether you create a compost heap, bury your scraps, ferment them, tumble them or feed them to the worms, you too can be successful with composting. Use the fruits of your labor on you houseplants, your lawn, your flowerbeds or your garden. Put your waste and your energy to good use. Reclaim the benefits of participating in the planet's health through composting—its rewards are simply miraculous.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440218774
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	03/07/2011
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Stephanie Davies is an occupational therapist by trade and an earthworm enthusiast by passion. Stephanie established her business, Urban Worm Girl, a few years ago and since then has hosted a network of educational and social events about the many methods of composting including worms. She also hosts lectures, demonstrations and workshops at retail venues, including, home and garden stores and local garden shops.

Table of Contents

Preface: Inside and Out 8

Introduction 12

Chapter 1 Our Trash 14

How landfalls work

Biodegradable: An American myth

Watching our waste

Chapter 2 Our Soil 24

Not all soil is the same

Soil health

Humus: The key to soil health

"It's alive!"

Nothing goes to waste

Soil testing

Chapter 3 Becoming a Composter 38

Compost rewards

The team approach

Begin at the beginning

The flow of your life

Steps to start

Chapter 4 Beneficial Bacteria and Friends 50

The cleaner, the faster, the better?

Diversity yields strength

Let the feast begin

Aerobic decomposition essentials

How the pile heats up

The Carbon: Nitrogen story

The creatures you see in your compost

Chapter 5 Composting Outdoors 66

To contain or not to contain?

Choosing a compost container

Outdoor composting options: Bins, tumblers, three-bin systems, digesters, and heaps

Do-it-yourself composters

Composting without equipment

Chapter 6 Indoor Composting? 96

Benefits of composting indoors

The nose knows

The perfect pairing

Indoor composting methods: NatureMill, Bokashi, and vermicomposting with worm bins

Chapter 7 Worms and Our Soil 114

Types of earthbound worms

Red wigglers inside and out

Worm castings: The black gold of vermiculture

Housing worms

Chapter 8 Getting Started With Worms 130

DIY vs. commercial worm bins

Migration bins

Make your own worm bin

Keeping your worms happy, and healthy

Harvesting your castings

Creatures and critters

Protecting your worms from pests

Time away

Chapter 9 Sharing The Wealth 150

Finished compost

Become a soil steward

Economy of compost

Enriching soil and plants

Brewing compost tea

Dechlorinated water

Derail the toxic train

Simple composting

Chapter 10 Trobleshooting 172

Common problems with outdoor composting

Common problems with simple composting

Common problems with indoor composting

Common problems in a worm bin

Conclusion: The Future Starts Today 188

Resources 190

Index 191