Placement

• The location of your compost bin is important because of several factors---appearance, convenience, amount of sunshine and proximity to your garden hose. It is not something that you would want on your front lawn, nor should it be so much of a chore to get to that you dread each trip. Therefore, careful thought about placement is critical to the success of your composting future and all of the delicious vegetables you will grow.
  
  

Container Choice

• You can purchase the compost bin itself in any number of forms. Some bins can spin and tumble your compost, churning everything together. You can purchase a kit consisting of wooden slats with assembly instructions included, or you can even make your own out of chicken wire and a few metal stakes.
  
  The size of your compost bin as well as the size of the things that go into it both matter. A good-sized bin is 3 by 3 feet long and 3 feet tall. It should have three stationary sides and a front that is removable to provide easy access for turning the pile. The bottom of the bin needs to be open to allow for drainage. Remember, the smaller the material going into the pile, the faster it will break down and decompose into that rich soil you can use in your garden.
  
  

Getting Started

• You start by layering your compost bin with brown materials on the bottom. Brown materials, which are rich in carbon, are things like dried leaves, sawdust, course twigs, shredded paper and cardboard. Green materials, which are rich in nitrogen, are grass clippings, vegetable and fruit waste, eggshells, coffee grounds and green plant material. Place a 6-inch layer of brown material followed by an inch of good soil on top of it. Then place a 6-inch layer of green material, again followed by an inch of good soil. The soil will provide the microbes necessary to begin the decaying process. Water each layer as you put it down, wetting the material to the consistency of a damp sponge. Continue alternating layers until you reach the top of the bin.
  
  

Making It Work

• You need to help your compost pile by aerating it every week with a pitchfork or rake. You also need to monitor the moisture of the pile and wet it down if it gets too dry. Both air and water in the right combination help to speed the decaying process along. The time that it takes to turn your compost heap into usable, rich soil depends on how well attended and constructed the pile is. The correct mixture of carbon and nitrogen will provide the microorganisms with the environment they need to achieve success quickly, which can be anywhere between one month and one year.