Self Aerating Compost Pile | Food Production and Preservation | Forums

i use a much simpler system to get the same result. once each week or so i throw some yard scraps into the pile and that always includes branches. now i don't want the branches in my pile but i do want the green leaves so i lay them down in the pile with the stem end on the outer edge of the pile and then start throwing my yard clippings, raked up brown leaves, kitchen scraps, cardboard boxes etc for a week and then i come back and pull out the branches minus the leaves and aerating the pile at the same time.

edited to add that those branches then become part of my bonfire, which rejoins the pile as ash once or so each week. every month or so i can then lift up any side of the pile and shovel out a pile of healthy compost.