For Residents

Maintaining your Composter

Add fresh materials often. Be sure to mix the new materials with at least the layer just below the top.
Turn your pile once every week or so. Water vapour may be visible as you turn it - evidence that heat is being produced. High internal pile temperatures will help destroy weed seeds, pathogens and insect eggs (though it's less risky to simply keep weeds out of the pile). Turning will also refluff the pile and bring materials from the outer part of the pile into the centre to enable more even rates of decomposition.
Monitor the moisture level. Add drier material or water to maintain the proper moisture level.
Remove finished compost. If you add fresh material into the pile from the top, the more finished material will end up at the bottom. Finished compost is dark brown in colour, crumbly, lightweight and has an earthy odour. The origin of some material may still be evident but these will break down further after the compost is dug into the garden.