Mother Earth News has an interesting and strightforward article on composting.  Per the article "Composting mimics and intensifies nature’s recycling plan. A compost pile starts out as a diverse pile of kitchen and garden “waste.” Left alone, any of these materials would eventually decompose. But when a variety of materials are mixed together and kept moist and aerated, the process accelerates. Compost matures into what soil scientists call active organic matter: a dark, crumbly soil amendment that’s rich with beneficial fungi, bacteria and earthworms, as well as the enzymes and acids these life-forms release as they multiply."

"Adding compost to garden soil increases its water-holding capacity, invigorates the soil food web and provides a buffet of plant nutrients. Compost also contains substances that enhance plants’ ability to respond to challenges from insects and diseases."

The article cleared up many misconceptions I had about composting - laying out the information in the following 10 facts.

1. Balancing ingredients is optional.

2. Good compost can be either hot or cold.

3. Small or large - any size pile will work just fine.

4. Turning compost is optional.

5. You can gauge the moisture level of your compost pile by its fragrance.

6. Compost need not be a secret.

7. You can compost diseased or weedy plants.

8. With a worm bin, you can even compost indoors.

9. You can safely compost livestock manure.

10. There are good uses for immature compost.

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/2006-10-01/Compost-Made-Easy.aspx#ixzz1nJcA8ug5

Flourish Planters & Grow Systems are the ideal way to grow healthy, delicious vegetables and herbs year-round.  Flourish Planters & Grow Systems are prized by both beginning and expert gardeners for ease of use, virtually weed-free gardening and the ability to grow an abundance of vegetables in a compact space.

The national media is picking up on the container gardening trend. Yahoo's "This Could Be Big" is featuring this article about growing salad greens in a window box. The article includes a fun video. Here's the link.

First pass under a rumbling elevated subway and then walk up five flights of stairs, there you'll find a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables growing in an apartment window. Chives, red leaf lettuce, sage, basil, even strawberries, all growing above each other and next to each other like Hollywood squares.

A Windowfarm is a vertical hydroponic farm that's set up in a window and can grow certain fruits, vegetables and herbs year round based on the season, even in winter. To feed the plants, a clear plastic tube is connected to a pump on a timer that circulates a nutrient rich solution directly to your plants root systems.