Choose a dry, level spot with good drainage
Gather brown materials like dry leaves, straw, and shredded paper
Gather green materials like fruit scraps, vegetable scraps, and grass clippings
Avoid meat, dairy, oils, and diseased plants
Start with a layer of coarse brown material for airflow
Add alternating layers of brown and green materials
Keep the pile about as moist as a wrung-out sponge
Chop large pieces into smaller bits
Turn the pile regularly with a pitchfork or shovel
Add water if the pile gets too dry
Add more brown material if the pile smells bad or gets too wet
Cover the pile if needed to retain moisture and warmth
Keep adding compostable materials over time
Wait until the material becomes dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling
Use the finished compost in garden beds, pots, or soil amendments