Welcome!! ~ I�m Robert Moore, aka �the SoilGuy�.

''WARNING!! This site is not an "easy read". Needs a LOT of editing and category/topic restructuring. Anybody that would like to help do some editing, please send me an email so we can chat about this important aspect.

This site 'went live' on Thanksgiving Day, November 26th, 2009 and you should consider it ...In Process... from now on.

Changes and additions may take place on a regular basis - so please bookmark this site, and do check back often. I still have a 'ton' of practical information in my computer, and learning more all the time. Will continue to post more topics and pages as time permits.

Soilguy is my �handle� on some Internet forums that I frequent. It�s my �handle� because turning poor quality soil into highly biological (and therefore nutritional to plants) Fat Dirt for growing really healthy terrestrial (land-based) plants is one of my favorite hobbies. Yeah, there's Skinny Dirt too.

Soil has its good points and bad points like most other things in this world. There's lots of different kinds and types of soil - some better than others for growing certain kinds of plants. It is a huge feat of Nature to grow any kind of healthy plants on some of the microbiologically-depleted agricultural land we have today. But now we have cost-effective ways to put that biology back into the soil (actually, an agricultural 'A' Horizon is just 'dirt' now - technically not 'soil' anymore from a scientific definition)...

The most stupendous microbial feat was producing life on this planet. All life starts with - and ends with microbes (predominently bacteria and fungi - builders and decomposers of organic material).

Microbes are involved in ALL of life on this planet. It does not matter what theory you subscribe to that resulted in the beginning of humankind as it is today. Whatever or Whomever created man - whether instantly or over millions of years - used microbial matter to do that. Because we are ORGANIC. That's Mother Nature's system.

Organic - Inorganic ... What's the difference? Organic material contains CARBON. Inorganic matter does not, with very few exceptions. Microbes "eat" carbon in most of its forms.

Regarding "organic gardening" - the term implies that no (or very little) synthetic chemicals are used in the process.

Mother's system encompasses creating new plant life from dead matter. Full circle. Will happen to you, too - someday - even if you are creamated and hidden away in a urn. Bacteria will eventually find - and consume your earthly remains. Dust to dust...

Microbes rule. There is no place on earth you can go, where they don't rule (except perhaps in the hot coals of a fire, etc. - but in the cool ashes - they return, from the air).

There's good ones (beneficials) and bad ones (pathogens). Mother Nature's rule: The good guys win. If that was not so, the human race would be extinct. (hello?)

For an in-depth "glimpse" of how saprophytic soil microbes work, visit: http://www.soilfoodweb.com/sfi_approach1.html#Interpreting

If you followed that link and read Dr. Ingham's information - then made it back to this site - you are to be commended. That means you're serious about learning this stuff... And applying it to your own needs (which is what really counts).

Some of my other �hobbies� are rainwater harvesting, composting (in all its various forms), organic gardening and doing projects in my Dirt Science Lab called the ROI Microbiotics Laboratory, mainly focused on plant diseases and pests that cause food harvests to decrease.

Along with developing instructional material for this website - which makes me an author � but not necessarily a good one yet... The author himself is definitely not a 'finished work' especially in literary endeavors. An 'expert' to some, but I still have much to learn...

If it's just GENERAL composting and organic gardening information you seek, please check out the Links page, where many quality sites are recommended - many of which I use as resources for the basic courses that I teach.

Sure, I have 'beginner' information here too - but mostly I try to focus on providing "deeper" information - that you probably won't find on most 'general' sites. This is a site for SERIOUS organic gardening/composting enthusiasts.

You can read about a lot of things on this site. If it's composting you want to learn about, click HERE to check out the curriculum for the 60-hour Master Composter Course. If you're a beginner, the Accredited Composter course is for you - or been composting and organic gardening for awhile, perhaps the Certified Composter course is a better fit.

Some folks just want some practical help to get started and others are having difficulty with some aspect of organic gardening or composting. In any case, it's not "book learning" that gets the job done. As most of you already know, it's what you can actually DO - with a pitchfork and shovel - to help our environment - and feed your family - is what counts.

Learning how to compost YOUR way, for YOUR purpose, with YOUR time and YOUR energy, is what counts to YOUR flowers, veggies, lawn, shrubs and trees.

I have a certain way I go about doing certain things - we all do. There's lots of ways to do those things and I try to present the other ones that I consider to be most worth the effort.

Remember that as a gardener, the PROOF is in the PLANTS. Especially in the HARVEST of plants. Plants don't lie. So IF you learn the 'language' of plants - you can know what the plant needs, if anything. Of course knowing what the plant looks like when it is happy is necessary - so you can recognize when it is sad. Remember, that's what pictures in magazines, books and the Internet are for.

You can read about me, but chances are, that�s not why you chose to visit my site. Not knowing your reason, I�ll simply conclude that you had one - but if you found this site by accident - that�s OK too. Hopefully you�ll enjoy the visit...And tell your organic gardener friends about this site.

As the author, I take full responsibility for the information contained herein, and work very hard to ensure accuracy and completeness. But I�m far from an expert at publishing a website yet, so please forgive mistakes, and please contact me to provide your opinions, advice, additional links and any other information that you think might be useful as part of this site. No one person has all the answers...

This may not be what you consider a �normal� composting website � for several reasons:

FIRST, because there are already many websites with quite a lot of good (albeit basic) information about what composting IS, and how to use compost for a variety of purposes.

It is not my intention to 'compete' with those sites, so I don't present the same old informational rhetoric. And you won't find much 'glitzy' stuff on this site, or commercial ads that just get in the way of your experience here. I don't need advertising dollars to present what I know and what I can do. And what I hope you will learn to do.

What you will find here - is lots of details and practical 'How-To' information that you cannot find elsewhere - on composting, organic recycling, gardening and rainwater harvesting. As I make time to get it written...

SECOND, most of the websites that do present general composting information, say the SAME things, over-and-over again, but very few actually get down to the MEAT of composting. WHY compost piles heat up - or don't, and when they don't - and should - how do you get 'em to?. How long should a pile take to decompose, depending on which feedstock is used?

Stuff like that, which you can ask about, by sending me an email from this site. I'll give you this author's opinion, without having to 'wade through' a series of responses on forums (most of which have nothing to do with the original poster's question anyway).

But don't get me wrong. Online forums can be fun, and even worthwhile, some of the time. My favorite forum is http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/soil/. I think people who make a practice of fast-rotting dead stuff have the best sense of humor of anybody. But maybe that's because I'm a bit "weird" myself (so the Dear Wife says)...

THIRD, I think more people that practice this art at home, should actively promote composting in their communities more. Actually get involved in 'spreading the word' and showing other people what can be done and how to do it.

One of the reasons composting is not promoted as much as it should be, is because very few people are willing to say: "...I'm an authority on this subject...". But so many actually ARE experts - about they way that THEY compost. Asking questions and trying 'new' stuff is the secret to learning how to become an expert at composting.

All that composting Instructors need to say is: "...I am responsible for MY compost piles - not anyone else's. Every composter is THE expert of how THEY compost. Basic principle #1.

Composting Instructors also need to be capable of answering questions and helping folks with any problems or issues they may encounter - about the way that THEY compost.

So sure, I'll be glad to help you with whatever issues or questions you may have, but you must remember that I take NO resposibility for your methods or techniques. Your decisions to do, or not to do, are your own.

Just as you have no responsibility in how I compost, no matter what advice you send my way.

Experienced composters should also be involved in helping other folks learn how to compost, and there are a LOT of people 'out there' reading this information who are quite good at 'backyard' composting - but there's nobody 'standing behind them' - verifying that yes, they do know what they're talking about, and people should listen to them, and learn. Certainly their neighbors should...

I've been composting for over 60 years, and I AM an authority on the subject, being a professional microbiologist researcher who recognizes what kind of microbes I'm growing. No, don't claim to be the best - but I know enough about the subject so I can tell when somebody 'knows their stuff' or not, just by asking important questions to acertain what somebody else knows about the composting process and 'accepted' practices.

Composting is not "rocket science", but to be good at it does require understanding 'what' is actually doing the decomposition work, and what stage the decomposition process is in at certain times.

Some of the people I train and mentor are young teenagers, and some are even older than me. I'm only 69. Still a 'puppy' to somebody in their 90's. Anybody that can handle a pitchfork, can learn how to be an excellent composter. And organic gardener. Quickly.

I don't just educate. I TRAIN and INSTRUCT people HOW to compost, in lots of different ways. PRACTICAL HOW-TO methods and techniques that save time and money. Get the job done. With high-quality results.

I'll put my compost up to anybody else's compost. I make high grade compost-tea quality stuff. And proud of it. As well as just the average "get-it-on-the-garden-as-soon-as-it's-ready" material.

You don't have to know which microbes are doing what, but you should understand: (a)why a Batch method pile should get to 131 degrees farenheit, and (b)how to get it there, how long the pile should stay hot, and (c)how much time a pile should take to 'finish' if it didn't get hot enough, and (d)why a given material will no longer heat up and (e)how to take temperature, moisture and pH readings when composting with the fast, hot/aerobic method.

And you should know that NONE of those readings apply if using the cold aerobic or anaerobic methods. There's lots of methods. As many methods as there are people who compost.

You could just toss yard trimmings/leaves/weeds, etc., etc. in a pile and let 'em rot - but that's not actually composting per se. The stuff you do pile up won't rot quickly, unless it gets enough internal water. If the INSIDE of the pile doesn't get enough moisture, and doesn't get aerated, you will probably still be looking at the same pile a year or two later. Or longer, in dry climates, hot or cold.

It will become just a big clump of 'stuff' with brush piled in/on it like so many others that just collect 'junk'. Ever seen one of those piles?

That stuff should get used to grow something, instead of just sitting there. Compost is nature's slow-release fertilizer. Free, if you know how to make it with free feedstocks like grass clippings, leaves, food waste, etc.

But beware of 'gadgets' that tell you good compost can be 'made' in 14 days. Or even 30 days. Not going to happen - especially if you're starting with fresh food waste UNLESS you're already an experienced composter. Don't go buying composting devices/boxes or even composting bins, until you're sure that you know how the process works, and what kind of composting method best suits your needs.

Don't believe marketing 'hype' designed to sell you something - that they know you probably won't actually go to the trouble of returning for a refund, if you are not able to get it to work. Most composting 'gadgets' don't work, except perhaps within a very narrow set of conditions. Remember that people don't make compost. Microbes do. If you are not able to get microbes to reproduce quickly, you will have a slowly-decomposting compost pile. No matter what else you do.

Microbes (the critters that actually do the work) can decompose organic materials quite fast under optimal conditions, but even so, takes 5-6 weeks and a bit of effort to accomplish that, with any significant volume.

If you want to learn how to compost, the very best action you can take, is locate a LOCAL composter near you - qualified to train you by the quality of product he/she makes. If it smells 'earthy' and sweet, like a fresh forest floor - and it's dark and crumbly, so you can't easily tell what it was made of after 3 months - it's done right. You're talking to a qualified composter IF he/she did that aerobically in less than 3 months. If you are reading this - and you can do that - help somebody learn from you.

IF you only know how to compost the way you do it, does that make you an Expert? Yup - does, in the way YOU do it. Go ahead. Help somebody learn how you make compost. To garden better. To eat better and save money.

Some composters won't say that he/she is good at the way they know how to compost, because they may think that there are so many other ways to compost, and perhaps they don't know much about how other people compost?

Or maybe they don't want to learn any other way. They are happy the way they compost - and that's good enough for them. Those folks can still qualify for certification as a ACCREDITED/CERTIFIED/MASTER COMPOSTER by ROI.

All it takes is some communication with this company to verify that the way they compost is safe and effective. YOU can be certified too, by learning from them - so ask them to teach you.

Composters that are willing to learn more about the process and other ways to compost a variety of feedstocks, can become a certified ACCREDITED COMPOSTER, and CERTIFIED COMPOSTER, and even a MASTER COMPOSTER. Just a matter of learning more and being able to do more, right where you live.

I'm willing to certify other practitioners in this science-based ART form that can compost effectively. And encourage them to tell others about what they know how to do.

So - how can I tell if somebody else is producing quality compost? Easy. Send me a small sample of yours in a ziplock bag - just a tablespoon is enough, with your name, address and either your phone number or email address.

I'll look at it with a light microscope at 400x and estimate the density (how many microbes there are, and diversity (how many different kinds there are). And I'll tell you how good it is. See, it's all about the microbes.

If you want a professional report on a full qualitative analysis of the compost with a really close estimate of bacteria, fungi and protozoa, and the ratios of them, put $35 in the envelope and I'll mail (or email) you a full qualitative analysis report.

Perhaps that's what you need to do, before you'd be willing to train others how to compost the way you do. But remember - plants don't lie - so if the compost grows healthy plants that produce tasty, good-looking nutritious harvests - then the compost is doing its job.

If you are willing to train or mentor someone to compost, simply put up an announcement on the bulletin board at the local library and set up a time to meet interested people there, to talk about composting and how it has benefited plant growers for ages.

If you're concerned that you don't have enough materials to share, ask the fellow that takes care of the church grounds what they do with the 'yard stuff', and would any members like to help make compost for the flower beds with it?

Put up a printed flyer at the local feed store or plant nursery. Get some local composters together to share ideas, feedstock gathering, and their techniques. If you do get a group of people together, keep things informal, and focused on individual home projects - don't get into community projects unless you get the community government involved with you.

This site is also the temporary home of such an organization called Recycling Organics, International LLC (ROI) of which I�m Founder and am currently the Director. ROI is focused on composting as a primary means of promoting public RECYCLING of ORGANIC materials, and encouraging organic HOME GARDENING and RAINWATER harvesting.

The informal group that meets monthly is called Organics Recycling Group (ORG), and you can start a local Chapter where you are, if interested in receiving our newsletters that contain information about composting, gardening and harvesting rainwater - and providing information about your local group and what they are doing.

As human population continues to grow (which will eventually cause shortages of fresh food in grocery stores and resultant price increases), home vegetable gardening will become very important to help balance more and more household budgets. Veggies cost a lot of money at the store, but are quite inexpensive to grow at home IF you learn how to compost.

That's why this is not the �average� composting web site. The objective of this site is to be an education REFERENCE CENTER for learning more about each of the primary subjects linked in the left column on this and subsequent pages.

All of those subjects interrelate with each other, so look around and try to grasp the connections. I�d like to see photo examples of your activities too, so Contact me if you'd like to share what you can do.

On this site you will find information that presents multiple views. Some different from those of others, simply because some people prefer different perspectives and methods, and some people know less about some subjects than they think they do. Including me. I learn something new about composting often, because I stay active in it.

Point is, YOU decide whether to use any of the information presented on this site - to make decisions - or not. So your use of any information found on this site is totally your own responsibility. Refer to the Terms of Use page for more info about that.

Words are used to convey meanings, which should always be considered in context. In these pages you will probably find words with which you are not familiar. Please look them up in the Terminology link (in the left side navigation bar) to avoid confusion. If the word is not presented yet, I recommend http://www.wikipedia.com. Type in the word or phrase you want to look up. I use a 'wiki-type' software to edit this website.

Unless references are given on the page where presented, credits will be linked from a separate Reference page where detail is presented bibliography style. Each time a certain reference is quoted or noted, a number in [brackets] will follow, which will link to the source when the number is mouse-clicked.

Although this method is more time-consuming to establish and maintain, I hope the additional effort is worthwhile, to enhance your reading experience and conserve page space. However, this method is more prone to �broken links� (not under our control) - so if a referenced link [number] does not work, please take a moment and email us (1) the URL [page address] where the reference is found, and the (2) reference number, so we can contact the right party, and ask them to fix it.

Thank you so very much for your time. Nowadays it�s SO hard to search down to the information you�re actually looking for. So if you don�t find it here - PLEASE let me know, using the Contact link, so I can at least attempt to provide the information you seek, or perhaps point you where to find it.

Owner and Author of www.TheSoilGuy.com
Owner and developer of www.ro-int.com (sales site)
Inventor of the Worm Basket^TM Earthworm Breeding Station
Inventor of the Aero*Force^TM Microbial Concentrator^TM machine
Inventor of Liquid Microbial Concentrate^TM(LMC)
Soil Specialist and Dirt Specialist
Master Organic Gardener Instructor
Master Composter Instructor
Compost Tea Specialist
Rainwater Harvest Professional
Vegetable Gardening Specialist
Plant Nutrition Specialist
Bat/Bird/Butterfly Conservationist

Compost Containments

Compost Piles