It’s an odd feeling when you’re asked to review a book written by one of your friends. You walk a fine line between being somewhat filled with dread that you won’t like it, and, on the other hand, worried that if you like it, no one will take you seriously because of your friendship with the author.

So I hope that when I tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed Chris McLaughlin’s The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Composting,
you won’t write this off as one friend patting another on the back. The CIG to Composting is an educational, enjoyable read that will make even the most reticent composter want to get out there and build a bin of their own.

McLaughlin’s encouraging voice comes through loud and clear on each and every page of this well-written tome. While some may argue that it’s not possible to make a topic such as composting interesting, this book is sure to change their minds (another book that comes to mind is Stu Campbell’s classic Let It Rot!– another fun read for beginning composters.)

Whatever your question about composting, you’re sure to find an answer in The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Composting. Here are just a few of the topics covered:

–Why Composting is a Good Hobby
–Composting Myths
–Greens and Browns
–Maintaining the Compost Pile
–Items to Compost
–Hot vs. Cold Composting
–Vermicomposting
–Creative Composting Ideas

And for just a sample of why I enjoy this book so much, I’d like to offer you this tip from the book. I especially like this one because it takes one of the biggest uncertainties out of the equation. I am often asked “how much “green” and how much “brown” material should I add? Here is Chris’ simple, effective answer:

“Skip the math. An easy rule of thumb is to put half carbon (brown stuff) and half nitrogen (green stuff) into your compost pile to begin with. Then let the pile tell you what to toss in next. Whatever you do, don’t stress over it; compost happens.”

Amen!

About the Author: Chris McLaughlin has been an avid gardener for 30 years and became a Master Gardener in 2000. She also has a certification from the National Wildlife Federation as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat Steward. Chris is a regular contributor at VegetableGardener.com (the sister site to Taunton’s Fine Gardening), is a San Francisco Gardening Examiner for Examiner.com, and is the editor for the Home Gardening page at Foodie Mama.

Disclaimer: I was provided with an advanced review copy of this book by the publisher with the understanding that the decision to review the book, and the contents of that review, were solely my own. This review encompasses my own opinion of the book, and has been influenced in no way by the publisher or the fact that they provided a copy for review.