Nothing is better for your flower or vegetable garden than rich organic compost. Made from all-natural materials, it is earth-friendly and can give any gardener a green thumb.

Things You'll Need ...

• Newspaper

• Vegetable kitchen scraps

• Grass clippings

• Any organic material

• Water from a hose

Step1
Begin your organic compost pile by choosing a plot of yard out of the way but accessible to your vegetable or flower gardens. You can hammer stakes of wood, metal, or plastic into the ground to outline it if you wish. This is totally unnecessary though.

Step2
Unfold black and white newspaper pages and lay them flat over the total area you plan to fill with your compost pile. Do not use glossy colored newspapers or magazines. Make this layer about six or seven sheets thick.

Step3
Spread three to four inches of grass clippings, straw, shredded autumn leaves or other yard waste on top of the newspaper. Sprinkle this with water from the hose until it is all moist.

Step4
Add the following in layers: vegetable scraps, egg shells and coffee grounds; straw, grass clippings and leaves; shredded newspaper; and purchased peat moss or compost. Water each layer as you build your compost pile higher.

Step5
Wait. Organic compost needs time to decompose to become rich, dark soil for your garden. Turn the compost every once in a while and add water if it dries out. New clippings, leaves, kitchen scraps can be added at any time.