The Real Dirt: The Complete Guide to Backyard, Balcony and Apartment Composting

Pleasance Crawford, a Canadian landscape and garden history researcher
and writer, is the editor of Landscape Architectural Review.

At last we have a Canadian book on all aspects of home composting: one
that, like a good compost heap, contains many layers of rich and diverse
material. Mark Cullen, a horticulturist, garden writer, and broadcaster,
and Lorraine Johnson, an editor, environmentalist, and master composter,
have successfully designed a user-friendly guide for beginners as well
experienced practitioners.

They include good explanations of how composting works and of why it is
so important to divert compostable lawn, garden, and kitchen waste from
landfill. They cover the pros and cons of various types of units, the
do’s and dont’s of what to compost, the care and feeding of the
heap, the problems that can arise and what to do about them, and the
uses for finished compost. They recommend wire-mesh linings in urban
areas, where rats could invade the compost heap. They devote one good
chapter to vermicomposting (ideal for apartment dwellers), and
another—for parents and teachers—to composting with kids. They
include well-chosen black-and-white drawings, and provide a glossary, an
excellent list of publications and videos, organizations, and
manufacturers and distributors.