HOW TO GET STARTED AND WHAT YOU'LL NEED

1. Compost bin:  The easiest way to compost is in containers (simple home-made or store bought).  You'll use teh bin to "store" garden waste in a contained and organized way while the materials break down.
2. Pitch fork:  The best hand tool for turning your compost pile.
3. The right location:  A well-chosen site can help speed up the composting process.  Look for a level, wel-drained area.  Keep it accessible so you won't be inclined to neglect the pile.

"COMPOST RECIPE" INGREDIENTS

1. The basic recipe for composting includes:  greens, browns, water, air and time.
2. Many organic materials are suitable for a compost pile.  Ideally the pile should be made up of the proper ratio of carbon-rich materials--or "browns."  Browns include dried leaves, straw, and wood chips.  Even paper bags and drier lint are okay.  And it needs nitrogen rich materials or "greens" such as grass clippings.
3. Kitchen scraps are also considered a "green."  Kitchen waste can include things like egg shells, orange rinds, vegetable trimmings and coffee grounds.
4. Collect kitchen waste in a small container in the kitchen to bring to the pile every few days.
5. The ideal ratio approaches 25 parts browns to 1 part greens.

THINGS TO AVOID

Avoid using any meat, fat, grease, oils, dairy products, bones, dog droppings, human feces, lime or fireplace ashes in your compost.

COMPOSTING:  THE EASY TWO-WEEK METHOD

1.  Keep ingredients small, no more than two inches in size.
2. Don't layer materials.  Mix ingredients either before or after shredding and chopping.
3. Pile in heaps of no more than 5 feet.
4. Turn teh pile from the inside out on a daily basis for usable compost in two weeks.  (Turn every other day for compost in three weeks).
5. When the pile has become somewhat smaller and the color of the material is dark brown, your compost is ready to use.

OTHER COMPOSTING TIPS

1. Keep teh pile moist, but not soggy.  If it's too wet, it will smell.  If it is too dry, decomposition will be very slow.
2. An ammonia odor may indicate that there's an imbalanced mix of ingredients.  Add sawdust to control odor.
3. Grass clippings break down quickly and contain as much nitrogen as manure.
4. Avoid meat and fish scraps.  These will attract rodents and cause a smelly compost pile.
5. Avoid using any parts of the black walnut tree as they contain a plant poison that survives composting.  Eucalyptus leaves can also be toxic to other plants.