Composting is easy. If it is done properly it doesn't smell bad, it takes care of lawn and kitchen debris that would normally have to be hauled away, and best of all, the finished product is far better than the best and most expensive potting soil found in the store

Before getting started, there are a few things you should know.

First, while there is no minimum or maximum size requirement, there is an ideal size, which is about 6' to 8' square, by about 4' high. The smaller the pile, the longer it will take to produce compost. If the pile is much larger than ideal size, it encourages anaerobic bacteria, which is what can cause unpleasant aromas. As a general rule, it is better to have several smaller piles than one huge one.

Second, there are many compost bins available on the market. Some garbage removal agencies even sell them. You can build one. Many people don't use a bin at all, and just have, an actual pile. The best compost bin I ever had consisted of a fenced in area, about 8' long by 6' wide, and 6' high, separated in the middle so it was essentially two bins put together. I made it out of reject grade 2x2's and lined it with chicken wire. It was inexpensive to build, and produced good compost, quickly, and with little effort.

You can use plastic 33 gallon garbage cans, drilling 1/2" holes in the bottom and sides, to allow for air flow and water drainage, for a compost bin. These take quite a bit longer to get the raw compost to the finished product, but turning the pile is also easier since you just dump the contents of one garbage can into the other.

You can also make an indoor compost bin, which is very handy in the winter time or when you don't have much room. Start with a storage container, 1-2 feet wide, 2-3 feet long, and about 1 foot deep, with a lid. Fill this about half full with plain dirt, minus rocks.

This soil should be kept damp, but not wet. Purchase a couple dozen red worms, usually available at fishing supply stores, and add them to the dirt. Then add the kitchen scraps and cover. Note that you periodically need to remove the cover, to allow air to get into the container, and to check on the soil dampness. If it starts getting too wet, leave the cover ajar and occasionally stir the contents, until it is again damp but not wet.

It is important to turn and aerate the compost pile, and to keep it damp. That is damp, not wet. Too much moisture again produces anaerobic bacteria.

Forth, smaller the bits of debris

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