It is easy to do! Place yard trimmings; brush, leaves, grass, etc. in a pile or bin and allow to decompose.

Click here for a compost video and other tips.

Build a bin

Compost Mound

This is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to compost. Yard wastes can be composted without a bin if you do not mind the look of a compost mound in your yard.

What To Do - Find a good location and loosen the soil where your pile will be. Pile your yard waste in a mound about 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet. Create alternate layers of green (grass clippings) and brown (twigs and leaves) waste. Remember, if you turn your compost pile it speeds up the process.

What You Need - All you need is a pitchfork or shovel and work gloves.

Compost Bins

Can be made out of many types of materials - blocks or bricks, snow fence, used pallets, wire mesh, etc.

Blocks or Bricks - Just lay out the blocks or bricks without mortar. Leave spaces between the blocks or bricks to permit air to circulate. The best size is approximately 5 - 8 feet square and 3 - 4 feet high.

Snow Fence - Used snow fence is a simple way to build a bin. Just drive four corner posts into the ground and attach the snow fence.

Used Pallets - Find four clean pallets and fasten the corners together, and start filling. You may want to keep one corner loose, so the bin can be opened for turning and removing compost.

Small-Mesh Wire Fencing - Buy or find wire mesh, form into a circle or square and add your compost materials.

Bins do not have to be square, they can be rectangular or a circular structure, it’s your choice. Remember, for a typical home garden, a bin 3-to-4 feet in height and 5-to-8 feet square will do. Locate it away from buildings and combustible materials.

 

How to care for your compost

Layering, watering, and turning the compost are the key steps to getting good compost in a reasonable timeframe.

Layer green (grass clippings) and brown (twigs and leaves) materials in your pile or bin. If your system is dominated by leaves, you may want to avoid adding any food scraps, which might attract rodents or raccoons during the slow decomposition process. If you start with grass and other green wastes and mix them with leaves and maintain moisture levels (damp but not soaking wet), food scraps should break down quickly before any pests become a problem. Food needs to be kept at least 6 inches from the sides, top, and bottom. To avoid pests do not compost meats, fats or oils in the bin. Chopping or mowing your wastes makes the process go faster.

A backyard compost thermometer is available at most garden stores and should be used to determine when to turn the pile. Cool temperatures below 100 degrees and excessively high pile temperatures indicate a need to turn.

Locate compost close to a water source in case it becomes too dry. Good drainage is also important in order to avoid standing water and the build-up of anaerobic conditions. Avoid exposure to high winds which may dry and cool the pile, and to direct sunlight which may also dry out the pile.

The compost generated can be used to improve the soil in pots or incorporated into gardens and flower beds to improve growing conditions and moisture control.

Compost Troubleshooting

Symptom	Problem	Solution
The compost has a bad odor	Not enough air	Turn it
The center of the pile is dry or white mold appears	Not enough water	Moisten and turn
The heap is sweet smelling but will not heat up.	Lack of nitrogen	Mix in nitrogen source (green stuff)
The heap is damp in middle but dry everywhere else	Pile is too small or too dry	Collect more material; moisten

Acceptable / unacceptable items

What Can Be Composted?

• Grass Clippings
• Yard Trimmings (old plants, wilted flowers, small prunings)
• Leaves
• Vegetable & Fruit Scraps
• Coffee Grounds
• Tea Leaves
• Wood Chips
• Shredded Paper (Low grade paper not acceptable for recycling)

What to Avoid

• Meat, Fish and Poultry (including bones)
• Food Sauces
• Fats, Grease, and Oils
• Dairy Products
• Pet Feces
• Invasive Weeds
• Treated Wood (or any materials containing
  strong preservatives or toxins)
• Charcoal
• Non-organics (plastic, metal, glass, etc...)