Compost bins can be purchased, or you can easily construct one with common materials such as chicken wire, snow fencing,lumber or used pallets. Other tools that come in handy for composting are a garden hose, wheelbarrow and common garden tools.

A very simple and easy compost bin can be built from shipping pallets,(available free at most warehouse stores). Use four pallets and hinge one side to open and you have a very inexpensive compost bin.

Getting Started A 4 x 4 x 4-foot area out of direct sunlight is ideal for your compost pile.

Choose an easily accessible spot on a grass or soil base. Composting can begin any time of year, but many people start in fall when leaves are abundant.

Organic materials should be mixed, adding water as needed so that materials feel like a moist, wrung-out sponge. The compost pile should be turned after a few weeks so that outside layers are mixed with center of pile. Turn compost piles about once a month, except in cold winter conditions. Water can be added during turning, if necessary.

Be patient. Different materials will decompose at different rates but they will all break down eventually. If you want to speed things up, use smaller pieces.

Another trick to speed up process. Add some horse or cow manure. Be sparing in this ingredient, too much will kill good bacteria doing their work for mother nature.

Generally, a well managed compost pile with shredded material under warm conditions will be ready in about 2-4 months. A pile left unattended and material not shredded may take over a year to decompose. Piles prepared in late fall will not be ready for use following spring. When compost is finished, pile will be about half its original size and have an earthy smell to it.