Margorie Willison (The Complete Gardeners Almanac) says that mushroom compost has about the same nutrient content as rotted manure and has the added benefit of producing a crop of mushrooms. As well, pound for pound, leaves have twice the nutrient content of manure in terms of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and trace elements.

I try and layer my pile alternating "browns" (vegetative dead matter) and "greens" (lawn clippings, garden waste), while keeping everything moist. Finish with a layer of soil to keep odors down. I try and turn mine when I remember, usually by moving the existing pile to the open ground beside it.

We also have two of those black compost bins that the 'Box Stores' sometimes sell. Into those go our kitchen wastes and old potted soils. I did put some kitchen waste onto the backyard pile once without burying it a bit, well, it turned into critter heaven. The following year I'll mix the bin and compost piles together before adding it to the garden or to the patio containers.

Some get coffee grounds by the bucketful from Tim Horton's, which are spread on the compost pile throughout the year. At planting time spread some around each plant and they deter slugs. Considered a 'green' (Nitrogen), coffee grounds contain up to 2% nitrogen after brewing; the filters are a 'brown' (Carbon), so together they are a good mix. Cover the grounds to prevent fruit flies. As it turns out 'Starbucks' also support us coffee composters and if you call in advance they will have grounds available.