Now that the November rains are here, all the leaves have fallen from your trees. Instead of throwing it into the yard waste bin, why not start a compost pile?

Composting is a way of creating an environment for organic waste to decompose quickly into a rich, natural additive that can nourish the soil, helping plants to grow disease and pest free, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and lowering our carbon footprint.

The key to a fully functioning compost pile is to use one simple technique for combining three basic ingredients: layer an equal amount browns – dead leaves, branches and twigs – on top of greens – grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps and coffee grounds. Add water abundantly to alternate layers of browns and greens, so the carbon and nitrogen they contain can break it all down into its essential elements.

Once your pile starts decomposing to create that rich organic substance known as humus, you’re composting! Now, you can replace the layering process with burying materials in the center and incorporating them when you water and turn the pile.

This spring, spread your compost on the lawn, garden patch, flower beds and container plants, too.

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