Composting has always been a bit of a mystery to me.  I know it is important, but having big piles of debris around always stresses me out.  After doing a bit of research, I’ve found a fairly simple way to manage it.    There are three categories of ‘piles’ in my garden.  
1.  Hot compost –  This is a small pile in my vegetable garden that is layered and turned. It contains vegetation, small woody prunings, cardboard, and paper.  It is easy and creates compost in just a couple of months.  No weeds, close to the house.
2. Cold compost – larger pile out of sight, that is not turned, still layered but with wood chips and larger cut branches.  No invasive weeds. Takes longer and compost is generated at the bottom of the pile.
3. Debris Pile – large storm debris, logs, invasive weeds, anything with disease on it. Not composted but removed twice a year.  
If you compost, how do you do it?  Any suggestions for getting started?  How about leaf mold?