Compost Science for Gardeners

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.

"Do you want to know anything about compost or composting? And I do mean “anything!” Robert Pavlis’s book “Compost Science for Gardeners” covers it all, including of course, leading you through the nitty gritty, hands-on making of compost, various kinds of bins, and best uses of compost. Also, some specialized composts, such as bokashi and vermicompost, and more."—Lee Reich, PhD. author of The Ever Curious Gardener and Growing Figs in Cold Climates Come visit my farmden at http://www.leereich.com/blog http://leereich.com"Myth buster Robert Pavlis has done it again -- written an essential resource on the science (and art) of composting. This will be a great addition to your gardening bookshelf."—Rebecca Martin, technical editor for Mother Earth News "Robert Pavlis does what he does best: uses down to earth science to teach, this time to make great compost. This should be your go to manual for great soil!"—Jeff Lowenfels, author of DIY Autoflowering Cannabis, and the Teaming series books on organic growing.

• 1. Introduction What Is Compost? Why Should Everyone Compost Myths About Composting Definitions2. The Role of Compost in Soil Benefits of Composting The Microorganism Myth What Is Soil Health? What Is Soil? Plant Nutrients Tilling Mulching3. 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 Material5. Managing the Composting ProcessLocation Storing Input Ingredients AirWater 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 System6. Piles, Bins, and Tumblers Simple Piles Bins and Boxes Wire Cage Plastic Garden Composter Tumblers and Rotating Drums (Barrels) Food Waste DigesterWindrow Composting Sheet Composting7. 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 Bokashi10. Eco-enzyme (Garbage Enzymes) What is Eco-enzyme? Making Eco-enzyme Using Eco-enzyme Tea Using Eco-enzyme Ferment11. Buying Compost Municipal Compost Biosolids (Sewage Sludge) Mushroom Compost12. Compost Tea Types of Compost Claimed Benefits of Compost Tea What Does the Science Say13. Selecting the Best Composting Method Environmental Concerns Mixing Composting Methods14. 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