How do you make a compost pile

If you have limited space or live in apartment a bokashi bucket might be the answer. I'm told these don't smell at all and hold up to 6 weeks of scraps from an average family. http://www.bokashi.com.au/Products.htm

Angie, I think an ideal solution to your compost pile problem would be to buy one of the black plastic barrels and put layers of food waste i n it.. rememember not to use egg shells or onion skins because the worms do not like them..Another more fun way to compost is to buy a worm farm from your council, we composted a family of 5 food waste in one of these for years and it really works, especially the worm wee, which when diluted works fantastically on all plants including pot plants. (no egg shells,onion garlic or dog poo) . You can also buy special composters for dog poo which can be buried in the garden and do not smell) Hope this helps..

The basics to remember with a compost heap are fairly simple:

You can essentially compost any dead plant matter and many food scraps too. Avoid putting in meats, cooked or raw or dairy products into your compost though.

Its best to make sure your various layers like dead leaves vegetable peels and grass clippings are well mixed to avoid large sections of one material. This makes it easier for the micro organisms to work through the pile.

The pile needs to be kept damp but not wet, and make sure it has some good bottom drainage and or side drainage to help with airflow and speed up decomposition.