An open pile is a great way to start composting at home. This method works great for leaves and grass clippings. You can build your pile directly on the ground. To help with aeration, you may want to place some woody material on the ground where you will build your pile. You can also give your pile some structure with chicken wire, snow fencing, or by nailing scrap wood together to make a four-sided box.

If you want to incorporate food waste, using a covered bin to keep animals out is a smart option. Closed-top bins include turning units, stacking bins, and bins with flip tops. There are numerous styles of compost bins available depending on your needs and the supplies available to you. These may be as simple as a moveable bin formed by wire mesh or a more substantial structure consisting of several compartments. While a bin will help contain the pile, it is not absolutely necessary. So, don’t let it stop you from starting your compost pile!

Whether you want minimal effort composting or weekly turning, aim for a compost area that is at least three feet wide by three feet deep by three feet tall (one cubic yard). This size provides enough food and insulation to keep the organisms in the compost warm and happy and workin’. Cold and slow composting, you can just pile your compost material and give it time to decompose. Cold composting works well if you don’t want to tend the compost pile. Hot and fast composting requires more materials and a way to turn or flip the pile. Both methods will leave you with rich organic material and less waste!