Compost Piles
The simplest way to start composting is to simply set aside an area to make a pile. If you are not concerned about the speed of the composting action (typically known as slow composting), it really doesn't need much else.
Trench Composting
One variant of the standard compost pile is trench composting. Some advantages of trench composting
- Since it is partially below ground, it can be somewhat out of site, making it a more esthetic choice.
- Trench compost piles have plenty of started bacteria available, and the local earthworms will have a feast on it without any particular work on your part
- Since the pile is not in the open air, moisture is retained very well, making it a popular choice in some of the more arid summer climates, and it is warmed somewhat in the ground in the wintertime, which will keep it active longer in cold winter climates.
- If it's done in the garden in a fallow area, the compost pile can simply be buried and the whole process of moving materials in eliminated.
Of course the major disadvantage is that the compost trench has to be dug up initially, so it is one of the more labor intensive piles to start up
Windrow Composting
The commercial version of a compost pile is
windrow composting