Choose a compost bin or pile location
Add brown materials
Add green materials
Keep a balanced mix of browns and greens
Chop large materials into smaller pieces
Keep the pile moist
Turn the compost regularly
Avoid meat, dairy, oils, and pet waste
Cover food scraps with brown materials
Monitor for bad odors
Add more browns if the pile smells
Add water if the pile is too dry
Wait for the compost to break down
Use finished compost when it is dark and crumbly