Layer your materials like compost lasagna: alternate 6 inches of browns with 2 inches of greens. Thin, even layers help the pile break down evenly and prevent it from getting too wet or too dry. 3.

To start the pile, create a base layer on bare soil with 6-12 inches of wood chips or chopped tree branches, then add alternating 6-inch layers of damp green materials such as grass clippings and ...

Add a thin layer of water to the pile if it dries out and toss in more carbon-rich materials such as wood and corn husks if it gets too moist. Turn Your Compost Pile.

In hot weather a compost pile can dry out quickly, so you may have to water it to get things going. Ideally, compost should feel like a well squeezed-out sponge – not too wet and not too dry.

Turning the pile at least once a week allows oxygen to reach microorganisms that break down organic matter. Turn the pile with a pitchfork, compost tumbler or by rolling a sealed bin on the ground. 3.

You can use finished compost or composting starter, a pre-made mix of fungi and bacteria, to create a base layer. Compost starters and the tumblers will state how much of a base to add. Step 3 ...