There’s more to having a successful gardening venture than digging a hole and filling it with plants. Those in the know say it all begins with the condition of the soil. Combining it with a nutritious compost mixture is the best, natural way to succeed.

Michael Murphy, 27, of Signal Mountain tends three raised beds filled with vegetables and a few flowers. He’s been gardening for three seasons and said composting is an important part of his gardening regimen. It takes six to nine months for compost to cure, he said, so if you start a compost pile now, it will be ready for next year’s planting.

We had five questions for Mr. Murphy about creating a good compost pile. Here are his recommendations.

1 What are the best foods to compost? Anything (but) primarily fruits, vegetables, plant clippings and paper. Meat may be composted but invites flies and creates odors.

2 Is there a certain ratio that needs to be followed? You need to have a well-balanced mix: nitrogen from green vegetables and grass clippings; carbon from dry leaves, wood shavings or paper; and moisture from rain. In case of drought, mist it occasionally with water or dump pasta water over the compost.

3 What makes a good compost bin? Wooden shipping pallets or other large wooden containers. Or build a pen surrounded with chicken wire kept low enough so that the compost can be stirred.

4 How far should it be from the house? Near enough for convenience to deposit daily accumulation. Have a good container at the kitchen sink in which to collect food refuse.

5 How often does the compost pile need to be stirred? Every four to eight weeks.