- 1). Place the compost pile in an area of your yard that receives both sun and shade. This area should also have proper drainage and good air circulation.
- 2). Aim for a compost pile that is approximately 3 feet high, 3 feet long and 3 feet wide. This is a manageable size that will allow the materials within the compost to properly decompose.
- 3). Dump organic materials from your household and yard into the compost-pile area you've chosen. Grass clippings, pine needles, leaves, fruit and vegetable waste and coffee grounds are all organic materials that can be put into your compost.
- 4). Add water to the pile if the center is dry. This will aid in the decomposition of the compost pile. An ideal moisture level for a compost pile is 40 to 60 percent by weight.
- 5). Add dry materials to the pile, such as straw or newspaper clippings, if it is too wet. When the pile is too wet, it will become slimy, foul smelling and unable to decompose properly.
- 6). Turn your compost every three or four weeks so that the materials on the outside of the compost are placed in the center of the pile.
- 7). Spread the finished compost over your garden or flowerbed so that it is 1/2 inch thick. Then, mix the compost into the top 2 inches of soil to fertilize your garden or flowerbed.
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