…A cross-section of the fallen detritus will show last fall's leaves on top and, as you move downward, the previous year's leaf fall will look more and more like dark soil called humus - until it is indistinguishable from, and a part of, the soil underneath.

In nature composting takes several years, but with the use of commercially available compost bins, or a simple home built structure, the process can be sped up to where it takes only a few weeks to turn tonight's leftover lettuce and the grass you cut yesterday into mulch or soil additive for your garden or flower beds.

The three keys to speedy composting are aeration, temperature, and the proper carbon to nitrogen ratio.

Aeration is simply the replacement of air into the center of the compost pile. Without the proper amount of air, your compost is merely rotting, not turning into soil. You will know as you'll smell the usual attendant odors of rot. Compost bins, whether commercial or homemade, allow air to enter at the bottom of the pile.

The process of decomposition generates heat, and by placing your compost materials in a compost bin, the heat is concentrated. This speeds up the process, and the heat rising through the compost pile draws fresh air into the bottom, perpetuating the process further.

The third component, the carbon/nitrogen ratio, is what makes the finished product usable as a soil additive or mulch. Leaves and kitchen scraps are a good source of carbon, and grass clippings are the best source of nitrogen. If you are experiencing slow composting, nitrogen additives are readily available at any home and garden center.

Finally, and most importantly, you need to add either earthworms or bacteria to the compost in order to speed up the process. Earthworms, or grubs, are very easy to find just stick a shovel in the ground and you'll likely find some. They can also be purchased online or from many garden centers.