Re: More on compost

**S* M* <s*@earthlink.net>**

I agree with Dorene.  Some people make this way too complicated and
intimidate people out of composting.  I have followed the lazy way for
years and get a fine product with no diseases, pests or other problems. 
The Rodale Guide to Composting gives a variety of methods used
succesfully over the years that include very active management to piling
organic materials and letting them sit for 1-2 years.  I think the
method that you choose depends on your situation, needs and time.  

Calling one method "composting" and the other "rotting" is incorrect. 
We need to encourage more people to take responsibility for their
"wastes", and we can do this by giving people a variety of methods and
letting them choose what works for them.  
-Steve Mitrione

Alliums wrote:
> 
> Connie forwarded from Monica:
> 
> > What you are doing is not composting; you are rotting your
> > materials, which natures does on its own.
> 
> Oh, please.  This is the type of attitude that intimidates people into
> not composting.  "Hot composting" is one technique among many.
> 
> Composting is nothing to stress about.  While Elaine Ingraham (sp) and
> www.soilfoodweb.com are completely brilliant and if one wants to do
> the work, is completely worth the time, if your pile is working for
> you and you don't have problems, IT'S OKAY!  And the vermicomposting
> people will tell you that if you have active worms in your pile, all
> sorts of good things will happen that are different than the good
> things that happen during hot composting. There are pros and cons to
> each technique.  Do what works best for you and your situation.
> 
> The first book I read on composting still remains the best (in print
> since 1975!):
> 
> Let It Rot: The Gardener's Guide to Composting (Storey's Down-To-Earth
> Guides) by Stu Campbell, ISBN: 1580170234
> 
> The title says it all!
> 
> Dorene Pasekoff, Coordinator
> St. John's United Church of Christ Organic Community Garden
> 
> A mission of
> St. John's United Church of Christ, 315 Gay Street, Phoenixville, PA
> 19460

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