Compost: Getting it Started?

You can buy or make a compost container but it's not necessary, just looks neater! We just throw ours in a pile in a back corner of the yard. You can throw on lawn clippings, small brush and sticks, tree leaves, and other yard and garden refuse, ashes, and shredded newsprint. Don't use anything that is diseased. From the kitchen you can use fruit and vegetable peelings and scraps, egg shells, old bread,and coffee grounds. Don't use anything with refined sugar or fats. Throw some dirt on top once in a while. Stir it up occasionally and if you cover the pile with black plastic it will retain heat and decompose faster. Sometimes we get visits from bunnies and butterflies! If you don't want to attract animals you may want to go with a container.

You don't need a container at all, but if you want to make one, you can make a bottomless one with any simple wall or fence to contain it. Be sure one side is removable so you can get to it to turn or remove. Don't put in animal or fat scraps. In other words, no oils or meat. If you have those things to get rid of, bury them at least a foot in the ground. Almost anything else goes, but the smaller the pieces, the faster they'll decompose. Eggshells, tea leaves, coffee grounds, paper, cardboard, wood (avoid painted or otherwise finished wood), vegetables scraps, peelings or leftovers, both raw and cooked, same with fruits. Put your scraps on the pile, then turn them under or sprinkle dirt over them and keep the area slightly moist, but not wet. If you don't have anything to add, turn the soil anyway, every few days.

Glass clippings are another great way to speed up the process, as the nitrogen heats it up and gets it moving. You can also cover it with a section of old carpet or tarp to heat it up. Once you get established, turn the puppy and that will get the bacteria moving and break it down quicker, too. Having two on the go is best if you have the room, because on is 'cooking' and the other will be ready to use.

Just to add.. i read that citrus fruits is also not good for the compost due to its acid level.