Choose a compost bin or pile location
Add brown materials such as dry leaves, cardboard, and straw
Add green materials such as fruit scraps, vegetable scraps, and grass clippings
Chop larger materials into smaller pieces
Keep a balanced mix of browns and greens
Add water to keep the pile moist, not soggy
Turn or mix the compost regularly
Avoid meat, dairy, oils, and pet waste
Keep adding kitchen scraps and yard waste in layers
Wait until the material becomes dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling
Use the finished compost in soil or garden beds