I started making compost in the backyard a few years ago. I've learned a few things from what started as an experiment.

1. The soil the compost pile is built on is greatly improved from the microbial activity in the pile. I made my pile on impenetrable clay and it has completely changed the soil composition to a rich loamy soil that you can actually dig without a pick.

2. Watering the pile is important and greatly speeds up decomposition time.

3. It's an excellent way to turn all your green yard and house waste into usable compost.

4. My compost pile is now a worm farm. Worms migrate up into the pile and greatly speed up decomposition. This is another reason watering the pile is important...so your worms don't die.

5. A couple of handfuls of homemade compost in a 5 gallon bucket of aerated water makes the most excellent compost tea you've ever seen. A little molasses too, to feed the microbes. Tea will foam when ready. Mix 1 part tea to 5 parts water and water into plants, especially container plants, and they will show their appreciation. It also reduces fertilizer usage as it improves nutrient uptake efficiency.

In summary, it's worth the time and effort and it's fun to do.