Starting a Compost Pile
Place the composter in a sunny, well drained area in the yard. Make sure that the location is convenient and accessible year round.
Turn the soil in the location where the composter will be. After placing the composter, cover the floor of it with a layer of small branches. This will allow for air movement and drainage.
The pile can be started with a thin layer of topsoil to add composting microorganisms. Nitrogen fertilizer (containing no herbicides or pesticides) can also be sprinkled in and wetted down to aid in the breakdown of high carbon materials.
Alternate greens (e.g. kitchen scraps, grass) and browns (e.g. yard material) waste. Don't add thick layers of any one kind of waste. Grass should not be more than 6 cm. deep, leaves up to 15 cm deep (cut or chop or dry and crumble them). If you can, let grass dry first or mix it with dry, coarse material such as leaves to prevent compacting.
Turn or mix the compost every couple of weeks or each time you add new material. This keeps the compost well aerated.