I do simple cold composting; if you pile it, it WILL rot. I use a large cylinder of galvanized hardware cloth and just throw all our kitchen scraps and yard waste in there, along w/ plain, unprinted, uncoated paper and paper towels. My compost is kind of chunky, so I often use it for tea, rather than spreading it, though I do sift it once in a while to feed plants. Once a year, I unfasten the cylinder and move it to a new spot and throw the unfinished stuff back in and scoop up the finished compost underneath.

There is an entire forum devoted to Soil, Compost & Mulch here, and a FAQ forum as well. Both are filled with expertise. I have spent a lot of time there in the past and learned a lot.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/soil

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/soil-faq

HTH

The truth of the matter is composting can be what ever you want it to be. If it was alive recently you can compost it. I do it a few ways. I cold compost in a large trash can, I hot compost in a wire cage and I direct compost at the base of fruit trees all with permaculture in mind.there is no best way.that is a matter of opinion.the important thing is to keep as much as you can from going to the dump and using what you have or can get for free. For example my neighbors bring me there leaves all bagged up and I will pick up any I see when I drive around. You can also get with a local coffee shop and they will save coffee grounds for you especially if you reliably pick them up. Also feed stores will often give you there molded hay or straw and if you check your local Craigslist under free or farm and garden you can find someone who is giving away horse manure. You can get pretty inventive.some grocery stores will give you the produce they are going to throw out and tree services will drop off mulch from chipping trees up.also look into biochare you can make it your self. Fyi I get mulch from the power company crews that trim to keep the power lines clear they drop it off right at my house for free. It will be a mix of wood chips,leaves,pine neddles and whatever else they had to cut back.it builds up the soil nice with lots of worms moving in.

I have a hole in the backyard. I toss my peels and such, my grass when i clean the underside of the mower, and the pine kitty litter minus the kitty poop into the hole...stuff eventually break down tho this year the hole has been filled with water since the spring. I usually raise a crop of wild rabbits in the compost...no not to eat just to enjoy hopping around the yard...but this year they had to make due with the weed patch i have allowed to grow over the septic tank.

go to growing a greener world . com or google Joe gardener, he has a free comprehensive guide you can download for free. Website has videos too. He's also on FB.

I used to do direct composting, by burying things in the ground, but now I just toss it around outside, because I have no space for a compost pile. People all tell me that's wrong, but it seems to work, so I'll continue to do it. I guess since I have earthworms, it's not as bad as those who don't, because they and the other insects come along and eat it. My banana plant is literally growing in a compost pile. The first year I was here, I tossed all my kitchen scraps out there around it and now it's just a heap of rich, dark soil.

I have a lot of critters in my yard thankfully (lots of bunnies, armadillos, even a fox). Do you find that the critters get into the scraps you throw out in the yard? I will throw banana peels, coffee grounds, etc. in planting holes and toss stuff like that around the base of my veggies. I just hear the word “compost” and my mind automatically goes to needing to get a big fancy tumbler and do all this work that I could get the same results with by doing what all of you are suggesting. Thanks again for all of your time and advice!

Fruit and veggie scraps can bring rats. Which is why i compost in a hole away from the house. I do throw my banana peels just out the back door to the tree behind the house, nothing seems to like a banana peel. And just by tradition rotting tomatos go under the tangerine tree...dad always did that so i figure must be good for them.

Rats and possums,along with stray dogs will find some kitchen scraps irresistible. They're going to be around regardless, but I would rather not encourage them.

I have a stainless steel canister next to my kitchen sink that gets filled with peels, trimmings, eggshells, paper towels, etc., then emptied on my pile when full.

A friend of mine who came to visit was surprised to see fruiting trees and edible plants in my yard. As it turns out he's not allowed to plant any fruit trees or have a vegetable garden in his city as both are said to attract critters.

If you're afraid to attract critters make sure everything growing in your yard is poisonous and unappetizing I guess lol.

Scrapes won't make any difference if you have any fruiting plants or tasty greens growing.

I do it all wrong also but don't tell my plants. I take wheelbarrows full of horse manure, from my own horses, and shovel it around the trees and shrubs. It acts

as a mulch as well as fertilizer. Been doing this for many years and on the lawn also.

Doesn't matter if it's fresh, still works well. I know, I know.

I’m not worried about attracting critters as I currently have a family of armadillos living in my front garden and a family of marsh bunnies in one of my big containers. I was just worried about critters getting in and ravaging my small compost pile. I just need to do this because I understand that it’s really important. I truly appreciate all of the help!

JF1174 - The Hillsborough County Extension Service offers a Composting workshop for free. You might find it helpful. If you attend the Rainwater workshop, they usually give you a free rain barrel.

Compost Happens, Microirrigation and Rainwater Harvesting Workshops for Hillsborough County Residents ONLY

When Sat, November 3, 8:30am – 11:30am
Where Hillsborough County Extension Service, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584 (map)
Description This registration site is for Hillsborough County residents ONLY. If you live in another county, please go to Compost Happens, Microirrigation and Rainwater Harvesting Workshops for NON-Hillsborough County residents ONLY.

Pre-registration is required.

http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough/upcoming-events/

thanks so much! I’d forgotten about that workshop.