Turn the Pile Household scraps turn in to compost with the help of carbon and nitrogen-loving microorganisms. To help them do their job, you need to regularly turn over your compost.

You can build a freestanding compost pile or create an aerated compost enclosure using chicken wire, snow fence, wooden pallets, or lumber.

When starting a compost pile, add several inches of brown material before introducing green material.

A simple heap works fine, but a bin will contain the compost and keep it presentable. Make sure your bin is well-ventilated so the composting organisms can get oxygen.

A healthy compost pile should heat up within a few days and smell earthy, not sour or rotten. At its core, the temperature should reach 130–160°F in the first week — a sign that beneficial ...

A compost pile can be a fun project for the whole family to work on. Using the compost you create can beautify your yard, as you make your household more sustainable.