10 Amazing Composting Books That Will Help You Get Started

Looking to start composting but don’t know where to start?

Check out these 10 amazing books about composting!

Composting is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment, and these books will teach you everything you need to know about how to start composting at home.

From how to get going, choosing the best method to suit your needs, and all the basics about composting, these books have it all!

10 Best Composting Books

I love books! They’re like little tool kits of knowledge about any subject you like!

I’m forever browsing for books whenever I’m out somewhere. If a book can provide me with a few extra nuggets of information or a bit of inspiration, I usually go home with it! Which explains why I’ve got a good collection of composting books of all kinds.

Composting can be as simple or as complicated as you want. But I find that it’s a subject full of questions. The entire process from beginning to end can leave you scratching your head, which of course is why I started writing this blog in the first place 🙂 And to encourage as many people as possible to start composting themselves…

If you’re new to composting, these ten books are a great place to start. They’ll teach you everything you need to know about setting up a compost system at home.

So grab a book and get started on your composting journey today!

Happy composting!

1. Let It Rot by Stu Campbell

This is one of my favorite composting books. Some call this the “composting bible”.

Stu Campbell is a master composter, and in this book, he shares his wealth of knowledge about all things related to composting. He covers everything from what materials you can compost, to how to build and maintain your compost pile, to troubleshooting common problems.

And you’ll also enjoy Stu’s friendly and approachable writing style.

It’s a very comprehensive book and covers every part of the composting process that you’ll need to feel confident about making compost.

This book is a must-read for anyone serious about composting.

2. Composting for a New Generation by Michelle Balz

This is an attractive book written in an enthusiastic style. And it’s chock-full of useful images. It’s a very enjoyable read. The kind of book you can easily sift through on a lazy Sunday afternoon 🙂

Michelle covers the basics in an easy-to-follow way, and the text is supported by plenty of color charts, diagrams, and photos.

What’s novel about this book is the number of different methods it discusses for building DIY composting systems, (complete with descriptions).

If you’ve been putting off starting to compost, this book will inspire you to get cracking!

3. The Compost Troubleshooter by Jane Gilbert

This is another one of my favorites. I always refer back to this whenever I’m mulling over a compost problem.

It contains a wealth of wisdom about all kinds of composting situations. And it makes an excellent reference that you can dip into anytime for answers to specific questions (I also have the kindle version of my phone which is very convenient).

Jane Gilbert is a top-notch writer and conveys her knowledge in an enjoyable and very easy-to-understand way.

A great book to have handy when you need it.

4. Composting For Dummies by Cathryn Jakobson Ramin

If you’re familiar with the “Dummies” series, this one, in particular, is excellent. It introduces you to composting in an accessible and fun way. It covers just about every aspect of composting and is very easy to understand.

It’s a thorough guide that covers all the basics of composting and includes a lot of helpful tips and information.

This book makes a great option for someone new to composting. It contains some diagrams but this is not a “glossy photos” type of book.

Nevertheless, this book is a great starting point if you’re new to composting and not sure where to begin.

5. Compost Everything by David The Good

The author of this book takes an “uncommon” attitude towards composting. He goes against the rules by advocating that “anything” can be composted. He argues for a compost system based on absolute simplicity.

David The Good is a well-known gardening writer, and in this book, he shares his unique take on composting.

It’s an enjoyable read with some great bits of information. I like the author’s style and his willingness to challenge the status quo.

If you’re interested in trying something different with your compost system, then this book is definitely worth a read.

6. Worms Eat My Garbage by Mary Appelhof (worm composting book)

Composting isn’t just reserved for your backyard. You can also produce nutrient-rich compost indoors! And this book will show you how.

Worms Eat My Garbage is a classic in the world of composting books. It’s been around since 1982 and has helped countless people start indoor composting systems, aka “vermicomposting”.

In it, Mary Appelhof covers everything you need to know about setting up and maintaining a healthy vermicomposting system.

She also debunks some common myths about worms and indoor composting.

If you’re interested in building a worm farm, then this book is a must-read.

7. Composting: Bob’s Basics by Bob Flowerdew

With a name like Bob Flowerdew it’s not surprising he became a gardener!

This is a lovely book! The version that I have is a small hardcover book and it’s beautifully laid out with some very attractive illustrations. It’s a real pleasure to browse 🙂

Bob Flowerdew is a well-respected gardening expert, and in this book, he shares his wealth of knowledge on the subject of composting.

He has a very down-to-earth approach to gardening and composting, and he shares his simple but effective methods for making compost.

If you’re looking for a no-nonsense guide to composting, then Bob’s your man!

8. No-Waste Composting by Michelle Walz

This is another new book by Michelle Walz. It includes solutions for composting in small spaces, and a dozen projects with step-by-step instructions for upcycling everyday objects into composting systems.

This is perfect for people who live in the city or have limited exterior space.

And if you enjoy DIY, it’s full of ideas for creatively reusing household items and building clever composters. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener you’ll probably find something useful in this book!

Children’s Composting Books

Teaching kids about composting is a great way to get them interested in environmental issues and how to reduce waste. In today’s world, learning about composting is vitally important for future adults.

And after all, they love getting their hands dirty!

Here are some of the best children’s books about composting:

9. Compost Stew by Mary McKenna Siddals

This book is full of charming illustrations and is an engaging way to introduce composting to young children.

It follows a group of children as they discover all the different things that can be composted, and how to make their own compost.

The rhyming text makes it fun to read aloud, and kids will love looking for the hidden creatures in each illustration.

10. Save the Scraps by Bethany Stahl

This is a wonderful book to show youngsters the importance of composting and recycling waste. This is a story based book about two youngsters who learn how to compost with the aid of their wiggly worm pal.

The illustrations are very inviting, and kids will love the message that even their lunchtime leftovers can help make the world a better place.

It includes a fun composting activity that kids can try for themselves!

Conclusion: My Top Books on composting

So there you have it, my top ten picks for composting books.

Composting is simply the process of breaking down organic materials into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that can be used to improve your garden. And it’s a great way to reduce your waste and give your plants a boost.

These books will help you get started with composting, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener.

Which one is your favorite?

Happy composting!