Slow composting does not produce the heat needed to kill many weed seeds. It is best to pull and compost weeds before they go to seed. If you put seeds in the compost pile, be prepared for more weeding. Fast Composting If you create and maintain a balance of air, moisture, and energy for the compost microorganisms, they will produce a hot compost that will break down quickly and kill off many weed seeds and disease organisms. Making hot compost takes extra effort, but it produces a high quality product quickly.
Piles work well.
Some people prefer containers because they look neater, or because it is easier to shield them from pests. Containers can be simple or fancy. Make them from materials such as old pallets, lumber, mesh fencing, or cinder blocks. For hot compost, each bin should be about 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet in size. Chop, shred, mow, or smash coarse materials so they will break down faster.