This is the base for our compost pile. The pallets will let in air from the bottom.

Here is our recipe: Browns, Greens, Water, Air. All in alternating layers.

Here are the browns: leaves, shredded paper, newspaper.

Here are the greens: veggies, yard clippings, and cottonseed meal.

Other ideas for greens and browns.

Old coat hangers will serve to bind the pallets together.

We start with a layer of sticks to help aereate from below, and prevent leaves falling through.

We add some browns (about 6"), and water well.

Now we add about 4" of greens.

Now we fluff it to add air. So we have all 4: greens, browns, water, air.

It's fluffed and well-mixed, so the microbes' commute time from green to brown is eliminated.

Time for the next layer. Here go some "browns." Note that we're still watering each layer.

It's almost finished. It's all dripping, and soggy.

We add a blanket of leaves, which holds in moisture, holds in heat, and makes it look more natural (in case the neighbors are looking.) Now we just wait 1-2 weeks for it to cook at 140 degrees, and we have compost!

And here's what it looks like 3 days later. If you stick your hand in, you'll find it over 140 degrees. Too hot to touch!

Now, 2 weeks later, the pile has cooled, and it's time to turn the compost pile.

Look how much it's broken down in 14 days! Not a scrap of that shredded paper is recognizable.

We simply take down the pallet sides, and create a new box next to the original one.

Now we alternate layers of the original compost with new greens.

We try to get as much air as possible in the pile. We also water constantly to get it soggy. Air+Water+Greens+Browns = Compost!

And here it is finished, so it can heat up again and continue to break down.