A Homeowner's Guide to Composting

How Composting Works

• The Composting Process - An in depth look at the process of composting.
• The Different Types of Composting - The EPA lists the types of composting and their benefits.
• Composting At Home - A quick guide to help you start composting today.
• Compost Piles - Learn how compost piles work from LiveScience.
• How Does Composting Work? - A great step by step guide on how composting works from the environmental center at the University of Colorado.

Benefits of Composting

• The Benefits of Composting - Learn some of the benefits of home composting.
• No More Wasted Food - Find out how to feed the soil with leftovers.
• Make Dirt Not Waste - An in depth look at how composting can be environmentally beneficial.
• USCC Compost and Its Benefits (PDF) - The US Composting Council's fact sheet on the benefits of composting.
• The Compost Gardener - The benefits of having organic fertilizer in your garden.

What and What Not to use for Composting

• The Do's and Don'ts for Backyard Composting - Not sure what makes a good compost pile? Learn about the do's and don'ts through this article, as well as other helpful tips for your backyard garden.
• Small Farm Sustainability - Learn how to start and maintain a compost pile.
• Compost Info Guide - This gardening website provides a composting guide for beginners.
• Toubleshooting Composting Piles (PDF) - This handy fact sheet will tell you what you can and cannot compost, in addition to what you should do if your compost pile isn't thriving.
• The Best Compost - A recipe for the best compost pile you will ever make.

Build and Maintain a Compost Pile

• The Composting Process - Not sure where to start with composting? Here's an in depth look at effective methods in constructing a compost pile.
• Composting from Penn State - Penn State University offers a composting guide that teaches you not only how to make a compost pile, but how to use compost properly.
• Hazards to Avoid While Composting - The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors explains how to avoid potential hazards while composting.
• How to Start and Maintain a Compost Pile - Texas A&M Agrilife Extension offers a guide on starting and maintaining a compost pile.
• Maintaining a Healthy Compost Pile - Mother Earth News teaches you how to keep a healthy compost pile.
• Composting Through the Winter - Off The Grid News offers tips on how to compost throughout the winter months.
• Landscapers Guide to Composting in Austin Real Estate - California's official governmental website provides in depth information on composting, include proper temperatures, composting recipes and more.
• Learn The Basics! - The Ground Guys will teach you the basics for home composting for the whole family.
• How to Care and Maintain a Compost Pile - Learn how to care for and maintain a compost pile from the Mother Nature Network.
• Backyard Composting made Easy - Compokeeper offers several easy steps to compost at home.
• Learn what to add to your compost pile - The University of California explains what to add to your compost pile to keep it in the best shape.
• How to Keep Rodents and Pests Out of Your Compost Pile - Hoffman Exterminating offers some tips on how to keep pests out of your compost pile.
• Keeping Fruit Flies Out of Your Compost Piles - The Compost Guide gives some insight on how to keep fruit flies out of your compost pile.

Worm Composting

• Learn the basics of Worm Composting - Cornell University offers a guide on worm composting.
• How to make an indoor worm composting bin - The EPA explains how to start and maintain an indoor worm composting bin.
• Composting with Worms - The Natural Resources Conservation Services provides all the information you need to start your own worm composting pile.
• A Guide to Worm Composting - The City Farmer gives insight on worm composting with Red Wiggler Worms and the benefits.
• What is Vermicomposting? - University of Nebraska gives you an overview of what vermicomposting is and how you can start.
• Worm Composting - New to worm composting? The Department of Public works in LA provides a great overview of how you can make a worm composting bin of your own!

Other Gardening Resources

• Gardening resources and Nutritional education - The USDA offers resources to teach the next generation the importance of gardening.
• The Composting Council - This is a helpful page from the US Composting Council that offers educational links for teachers and students to learn more about composting, horticulture and general gardening.
• Gardening for Educators - Great resources and lessons for teachers on garden education from Life Lab.

By: Jim Olenbush