Basic Composting: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started (Stackpole Basics) (How To Basics) [Spiral-bound]

Eric Ebeling (Editor), Alan Wycheck (Photographer), Carl Hursh (Contributor), Patti Olenick (Contributor)

Book Description

Series: How To Basics | Publication Date: July 1, 2003

Each technique illustrated with color photos

Details on what and what not to compost

Suggested uses for finished compost

This lavishly illustrated guide contains everything the beginner needs to know about creating useable compost--described in clear, step-by-step detail that eliminates all of the guesswork that too often creeps into how-to books. Experts share their knowledge of the proper tools and techniques the novice needs to compost successfully in rural, suburban, or urban settings. Traditional bin systems and an unconventional approach using worms are explained fully. Includes a fascinating look at the science behind the composting process, as well as clear instructions for building a variety of composting bins for the backyard.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alan Wycheck is a concrete specialist and former partner in The SO Factory, a concrete design company. He is also an award-winning photographer and lives in central Pennsylvania.

This book includes the contributions of veteran composting experts and soil scientists. Patti Olenick is a soil scientist and composting expert. She lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

This book includes the contributions of veteran composting experts and soil scientists. Carl Hursh is an environmental educator and composting expert. He lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 120 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1st edition (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811726479
• ISBN-13: 978-0811726474
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #826,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great basic knowledge, May 24, 2007

By 

Grant Smith "GrantKSmith" (Fort Worth, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Basic Composting: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started (Stackpole Basics) (How To Basics) (Spiral-bound)

This is the perfect book for the beginning composter. With plenty of pictures and easy step by step instructions this book teems with information. Purchased with "The Rodale Book of Composting: Easy Methods for Every Gardener" you have all you need for a great preliminary knowledge base on the subject. I highly recommend this book for those who are interested in getting started fast!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I needed!, May 15, 2008

By 

A. REED (SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Basic Composting: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started (Stackpole Basics) (How To Basics) (Spiral-bound)

As simple as it gets! How to create compost, How to build a compost bin (or which to buy), What IS compost and how do you create successful piles. Great for someone on a budget. Step-by-steps are great and the content is easy to understand. I built one of the bins in the book in a few hours. Highly recommend this for those starting out.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, informative and easy to understand, November 18, 2009

By 

Pgh Shopper (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basic Composting: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started (Stackpole Basics) (How To Basics) (Spiral-bound)

This book is awesome! It has the information you need to know about every stage of creating great compost. The photos are wonderful. The science behind composting is explained well so that you can understand why the mix of materials is important and which materials should not be included. Also well described are the different choices in compost bins... which work the best... which are the least expensive, etc. Using this book as a reference will help anyone become proficient in creating this valuable garden additive.Basic Composting: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started (Stackpole Basics) (Basic How-to Guides)