"Composting: How Organic Gardeners Let it Rot and Make Homegrown Humus" shows you how to take nature's way of recycling organic matter and give it a boost. By creating the ideal conditions for decomposition, composting systems speed up the process, turning kitchen scraps and yard waste into high-quality humus in a matter of weeks. This "black gold" can then be used to amend the soil, which increases its ability to hold water and nutrients. #1 bestselling author Gaia Rodale gives you the information you need to pick the right composting system for your garden, build it out, and manage it to maximize the composting process. From outlining the different ways to compost to explaining how composting works, everything you need to turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into good old fashioned dirt is on these pages. After reading this guide, you will know: * Why composting is important to organic gardeners, and may be one of the best examples of the concept, Reduce, Recycle, Reuse. * The most important factors for successful composting, there's more to it that tossing scraps onto a pile in the backyard* What can be composted and what can't, this is super important for the health of you garden and your family * The difference between hot and cold composting, the time difference here is amazing * What vermicomposting is and when it is beneficial, this method is great for people with little space and can even be done completely indoors * The different types of composting systems, yes there is more than one * How long it takes to create high quality compost, the varies widely based on the method you use By the end of this book you will know the different types of composting and how they work, the benefits and drawbacks of each, the different types of composting systems and which of those systems is best for you. You will also know what you can and can't compost and how to diagnose the most common backyard composting issues.