Sustainability: Composting

What's the matter with food? -- Past forward to local? Let's be real -- Preserving rural agriculture land for food production -- Converting urban and suburban lands for growing food -- Agriculture as the new golf : farming as a development amenity -- In praise of technology -- Economic sustainability : making the economics of agricultural urbanism pay -- Economic development through urban agriculture : chasing the local job dream -- Rebuilding the lost food-producing infrastructure -- Less "waste," more soil -- Starting young : healthier local food in schools, colleges and universities -- Farmers markets and CSAs : making the most of direct sales -- Growing community with community gardens -- Getting food to hungry people -- Ending food deserts -- Is local food safe? -- What we can do : systemic changes, personal choices.

Definitions and philosophies of organic farming -- Soil fertility and plant nutrition -- Requirements of plants for soil-derived nutrients -- Management of farm manures -- Composting -- Management of green manures -- Liming -- Mulches -- Tillage -- Weed control -- Insect control -- Plant diseases -- Companion planting -- Storage of produce.

Why microgreens? -- Health and microgreens -- Individual crops -- Materials -- How to grow (10 step process) -- Composting -- Recipes -- Trouble shooting.

In this book, Charles Dowding shares the wealth of his experience, explaining his approach to soil and plants and revealing the range of techniques that have enabled him to grow healthy and vibrant crops for decades. His success is based on a key principle of'no dig'—not digging. This enhances soil structure and encourages healthy growth, especially when soil life is encouraged and multiplied through the addition of good compost and manure. Based on this approach and his use of a system of permanent, slightly raised beds, Dowding shows, in this book, how to grow a delicious variety of fruit and vegetables: what to choose; when to sow, plant, and harvest; and how best to avoid pests and diseases.