Hands on Gardener Composting (Smith & Hawken the Hands-On Gardener) - Softcover

Ball, Liz

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0761107320 ISBN 13: 9780761107323

Publisher: Workman Publishing, 1998

Synopsis

"Composting" begins with the least-maintenance method--pile up dead leaves and grass trimmings in a corner of the yard and let nature do its work--and graduates to those methods that require more involvement but also yield greater and faster results. It covers materials suitable for compost; how to achieve the proper balance of carbon, nitrogen, water, and air for fastest decomposition; how to monitor and adjust the pileis heat; as well as common problems and what to do about them."

About this title

Review

"The Complete Compost Gardening Guide" glories in the details where to get good sawdust and coffee grounds, the pluses and minuses of a whole range of animal manures, what plants grow best in what sorts of compost as it provides countless tips for making and using compost in dozens of different ways. "Book Page""" Pleasant and Martin have combined their years of gardening experience thoughtfully and convincingly. Gardening readers will wonder why it took so long to figure out that composting is at the heart of the fruits and flowers. "ForeWord" Pleasant and former garden book editor Martin here provide both a reference guide and an introduction to composting.... Essential reading for any gardener interested in composting. "Library Journal ""

From the Back Cover

SMITH & HAWKEN

THE HANDS-ON GARDENER

A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR BACKYARD COMPOSTING

Offering a wealth of both practical and technical information, here is a thorough, step-by-step program for getting the most out of composting, no matter how much time is spent. Including:

Simple or Managed Letting Nature run its course, or hurrying decomposition. Materials to use, materials to avoid. Fine-tuning the carbon/nitrogen ratio. Year-round compost production.

Equipment Bins, boxes, and the Biostack. The "red wiggler" composting worm. Shredders and loppers, sieves and sifters.

Reaping the Benefits How to improve soil texture, provide nutrition, adjust soil chemistry, fight plant diseases and pests, and discourage weeds.

Problem-Solving If the pile begins to smell. Critters and bugs. Too wet or too dry.

Liz Ball has been both the author and photographer for numerous garden books, including Rodale Press's Garden Problem Solver series. She also serves as a regional director of the Garden Writer's Association of America.

Edition details

• Publisher: Workman Publishing
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0761107320
• ISBN 13: 9780761107323
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 160