Composting is an easy thing. Do nothing and it takes care of itself. Each autumn leaves fall from the trees and slowly turn into leaf mold on the forest floor. The leaves become compost without the intervention of humankind. Weeds pulled from the garden and allowed to dry up and die between the rows of vegetables do the same thing. In due time the weeds are recycled into the soil.

Some gardeners have made composting an art and a science. They calculate nitrogen/carbon ratios and keep track of their "greens" and "browns." Special devices are purchased and built to speed the process of decomposition.

This is not to criticize the practitioners of composting as a high art. They do make compost faster than those who pursue the process casually. Higher temperatures in their compost piles destroy pathogens and weed seeds. I aspire to their level of accomplishment.

I hope beginning gardeners can be happy with modest success at composting as they learn.