How do you construct a compost pile?

Question:

How do you construct a compost pile?

Answer:

When sufficient materials are on hand, build a pile that is at least 3 feet by 3 feet square and 3 feet in height, but no larger than 5 feet by 5 feet square and 5 feet in height. Use a mixture of garden debris, leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste. Build the compost pile in layers. Start with a 6-to-8-inch-layer of plant material topped with a 1-to-2-inch-layer of soil or previously made compost. Sprinkle 1 to 2 pints of a complete analysis fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, over each layer to supply nitrogen to the microbes. Barnyard manure may be used as an alternative to a commercial fertilizer. A 1-to-2-inch-layer of manure should be sufficient. Continue these layers until the compost pile is 3 to 5 feet in height.