Beginner Gardening: Need to start a compost pile! , 1 by Jenn1980

Jenn1980 wrote:
HI! I am at the point in my gardening career that I should probably start a compost pile. I do have a few random questions though. I don't think i want a bin, was thinking of just a pile on the east side of my shed. Should i just throw kitchen scraps and leaves and grass together in a pile and stir it once a week? Could it really be that simple? Should I cover it when it rains or all the time so it doesn't dry out?