To make compost, you need decomposers that act as your composting work crew. These are microbes (mainly bacteria and fungi) that will do all the work for you.
Food for Decomposers
Organic materials and the right amount of air, water, and warmth are necessary to keep the decomposers happy. Each of the following examples of organic materials will add microorganisms to the compost pile:
Food / kitchen scraps
Used potting soil
Please note: All organic material will compost, but not all should be added to a backyard compost pile.
A Balanced Diet
Your compost workers will thrive if you give them a balanced diet of carbon-rich and nitrogen-rich materials, also known as browns and greens.
Good Garden Soil
One teaspoon of good garden soil to which compost has been added contains 100 million bacteria and more than 800 feet of fungal threads.