" Building and maintaining a compost heap is a great way to reduce organic waste and to make your own rich compost for your plants and gardens. It's an easy project to do. here's how. First choose a location for your heap -- check to see if there's any local zoning regulations or restrictions pertaining to composting. Pick a spot that somewhat out of sight. But close to your garden and landscaping. Clear the area and if you wish. contain it with snow fence or other fencing Measure a space that is based its no smaller than three square feet so that the compost people work. And no larger than five square feet to be manageable. Choose an area with good drainage that sheltered from direct light and strong winds. It helps to be able to reach the compost heap with a hose as it has to be watered from time to time. Drive fence posts into the four corners of the area and you've set aside your compost heap. Make sure that the posts are plumb so the fence will wrap evenly around the posts Each of the four posts have small hooks where you can attach the wire fencing there are many types and sizes of wire fencing you can choose from. We're going to use a vinyl coated welded mesh utility fencing mesh fencing typically comes in fifty foot rolls this fence is easy to handle. It's colorful. It Resists rust And the open mesh allows air to reach the compost. Hold the wire mesh under the hooks on the first fence post and hammer the hooks over the mesh wire to secure the fencing in place. Pull the wire fencing tightly around the other three posts To form a three sided container for the compost using electricians pliers. Cut off the section of mesh you're going to use from the rest of the role we'll leave the front open continue to secure the rest of the fence to the post. Cut the mesh fencing one or two sections higher than the fence post. And then fold over the mesh fencing this'll help protect you and your family from the sharp edges of the mesh fence. With all the edges folded over you now have a simple three sided container for your new compost heap you begin a compost heap by creating layers of organic material. Start with a 6 to 8 inch layer of organic green materials like grass clippings rakings from weed whacking Yard trimmings and other green materials. You can include all your organic kitchen scraps such as vegetable pealings old salads. Fruits and vegetables. The nitrogen in the green materials. Feeds the microbes that break down the pile into compost. You can even throw in old coffee grounds and filters. And dryer and vacuum lint mixed with this we're going to add six inches of brown organic ingredients such as dry leaves and small twigs and wood chip things from carpentry projects. Which provide carbon necessary to generate fuel. To breakdown the organic materials small pieces breakdown fastest for instance it's best if leaves are shredded if possible. Mix the grass clippings kitchen scraps and leaves to create a twelve to fifteen inch layer leave the pile loose and fluffy. So that air can get at it sprinkle this layer with either -- a cup of 101010 fertilizer or compost starters mixed with water. If you use a commercial compost starter. Follow the directions on the label. The fertilizer or starter acts as an activator -- to accelerate the ignition of decomposition. These activators leaders provide a nitrogen source for the microbial community. Lastly add one to two inches of topsoil. In an even layer across the organic material. plain garden soil will work just fine the soil helps to stimulate the breakdown of organic materials. Continue adding twelve to fifteen inch layers to the compost heap Each layer consists of a mixture of green and brown organic materials. Mix each two layer as you add more material. You have to keep a compost heap moist as you build the layers of the compost heap wet each layer with a bucket of water and fertilizer. And then add one inch of topsoil. Almost immediately micro organisms begin to feed off this mixture of green and brown organic matter within this well balanced food supply. The micro organisms begin to reproduce. And in the process. Create heat the heat stimulate the development of more microorganisms. Which in turn feed off the mixture of moist to organic material and the decomposition cycle continues. Continue to add layer after layer of green garden and lawn clippings to supply the nitrogen. Mixed with -- brown leaves wood chips and broken up twigs display carbon. cap each layer with a mixture of fertilizer or compost starter mixed with water and then a layer of topsoil. Stop when the heap is between three and five cubic feet in size. A compost heap that is too small. May not get hot enough for the composting reaction to take place. And a compost heap that is too large it's too hard to turn. So here's the tricks for care and feeding. The compost -- heap has to -- remain work to work A good of Thomas. thumb is you can squeeze -- a drop or two of out of a handful of working compost. Pile The pile is enough is moist enough it becomes too moist for too long. It will start to smell in which case turn the pile over with a -- pitchfork frequently to encourage evaporation. If the pilots to pile is too too dry add water a garden homes. hose. hose. . outside down the outside and then stick the hose into the interior of the pile in a few places being careful not to over water. In addition to moisture a compost he heap heap oxygen the decomposition. Take to Take place a pitchfork -- the fluff every week or so to a low air into allow center of the pile. Combining watering in and the and pile the maintenance of your compost heat heap a heap blended fluffy fluffed moist compost heap should reach temperatures of around a 12240. 122 to 140. Fahrenheit 122 to 140 on inside. To check to see if it's hot inside the heat and heap insert heap Insert end of metal pole into the middle of the pile. Let it sit for a minute and then pull it out the end of the polls should pole warm to touch. With care. The people begin heap will begin heap will compost into a matter of months longer if the materials -- course are coarse are coarse or if the Weather is cold. Finished very hot or cold. is a rich dark brown material within earthy with an Mixed with an your garden soil. Are spread or over or surfaces the surface as nutrients in your compost will greatly improved the improve of improve soil nurturing your plants. And ensuring a strong and healthy growing season."