The first thing that comes to mind while talking about compost is the compost pile. Technically speaking compost pile is the heap where organic waste like vegetables and manure are decayed for making compost.

Getting Started:

Unlike the fancy equipments used for composting like compost bins and tumblers, compost pile is the cheapest and simplest way of turning organic waste into compost. The material required for compost lies in your backyard. You can start your compost pile by first deciding the location. Compost piles can be placed in shady areas; you may also want to place your pile away from plain sight. The bottom of the pile should consist of three to four inches of straw or any other plant material. Then, alternately wet green material like garden waste and brown dried material like straw, dry leaves etc can be added. Preferably, uncooked fruits and vegetables should be placed on the green layer followed by soil to prevent flies and odour. However, material like meat, animal litter should be strictly avoided in the pile. The only investment you require here will be the pitchfork, with which you may need to mix the pile occasionally. Traditionally the size of the pile is three feet, though sometimes it may go up to five feet tall to five feet wide.

Management:

Simply making a pile is not enough; if care is not taken, it may quickly turn into a garbage area. For actively maintaining the pile, you have to control the water content and pitch in with your garden fork to turn the pile well. Doing this increases the temperature leading to better compost.
The compost is ready when the pile cools down reducing it to one third of its original volume. This type of compost is crumbly, dark and gives a relatively pleasant odour.

Advantages:

Compost pile system works best in areas of heavy rainfall. It is preferred over other systems because it costs less and requires no fancy or bulky equipment. It is the most simple of all methods and you do not require any exceptional skill to make it. It also takes care of your garden waste very effectively.

Disadvantages:

However, a badly managed compost pile is definitely going to cause some problems. It will not add to the décor of your garden. Besides, it is the slowest of all composting processes. But, most of these difficulties can be managed with planning and care on your part.

Kitchen Compost Crock
A Kitchen Compost Crock is a heavy countertop container in which you collect kitchen scraps for eventual recycling into nutrient-rich fertilizer. Remember your kitchen generates the maximum amount of recyclable organic waste; be if food leftovers,...

Compost Pile
The first thing that comes to mind while talking about compost is the compost pile. Technically speaking compost pile is the heap where organic waste like vegetables and manure are decayed for making compost. Getting Started: Unlike the...

Compost Bin Plans
Compost Bins are the best option in arriving at primary organic compost. Though compost heaps are simpler as they involve only adding to a compost pile in the garden, Compost bins have several advantages. Their one clear overriding value is that...