Many, if not all, veggie gardening books will have a section on composting which covers the basics and gives you an idea of what composting is all about, but if you want to enquire a bit deeper it can be difficult to find whole books on the subject. Below are some books that I have been able to acquire over the years that may be able to provide deeper insight.
Composting : A Study of the Process and its Principles – Clarence G. Golueke PhD – Rodale Press Inc (US) 1972 ISBN 0 87857 051 9 – If you are after a techo composting book, this is it! It does go through the process in considerable detail with only a graph or line drawing or two to leaven the text. It is a bit dry and some of it is more about an industrial process rather than the home garden, but there is a section on home composting according to the University of California method. Good luck!
Let it Rot! – Stu Campbell – Garden Way Publishing (US)1990 ISBN 0 88266 049 7 – This is a good one, it talks about how to build and where to site a compost bin, covers the raw materials used and what you can use the compost for when it is finished. There is some technical discussion about the process of composting but not so technical I couldn’t understand it so you should be fine. There is also some discussion of composting on a larger scale. No photos but a few line drawings.
Backyard and Balcony Composting – Mark Cullen and Lorraine Johnson – Bookman Press (AUS) 1992 ISBN 1 86395 027 3 – This was originally a Canadian book but has been adjusted to Australian conditions. It is another good one covering the how and why of composting, the various types of composter available and how well they work , what should and shouldn’t go in as well as a section on troubleshooting. The book does cover the issues with composting in small scale balcony composting, but applies just as well to backyard composting. No photos but good line drawings.
Resurrection in a Bucket – Margaret Simons – Allen & Unwin (AUS) 2004 ISBN 1 86508 588 X – If you are after a compost book that
is really a narrative you can read from end to end, this is the one. There is lots of info and stuff on the history of composting and about the authors particular composting journey. Good book but no photos!
Recycle your Garden – the essential guide to composting – Tim Marshall – ABC Books (AUS) 2008 ISBN 978 073330984 7 – A very good and comprehensive Aussie book that covers building a compost heap, compost ingredients and tools, using worms, anaerobic composting and solving compost problems. Nice drawings and lots of colour photos.
No Garbage: Composting and Recycling – Allen Gilbert – Lothian Publishing (AUS) 1992 ISBN 0 85091 485 X – A good basic Aussie book, plenty of line drawings and some colour photos. The book covers composting how, when and why; soil structure; composting methods; volunteer and community gardens; using compost in the home garden and more. This book is part of the Lothian Australian Garden series.
The Compost Book – David and Yvonne Taylor – Reed New Holland (AUS) 2004 ISBN 1 87633 428 2 – This is a small book with a few colour drawings and rather than being set out in chapter is arranged under headings alphabetically in the manner of a dictionary, making reference fairly easy. There is a paragraph or two on each entry so this is not an in-depth technical discussion but good for those just starting out.
