1. You can add kitchen waste as well garden prunings. Avoid adding non plant matter, such as meat, and fish scraps, as this can attract rats.





2. If you have a shredder use it to turn twigs etc in small pieces, avoid putting large pieces of woody stems in composters as they will take forever to decompose.





3. Composting works best when conditions remain constant, a good place in the garden for your composter, is in light shade.





4. Moisture also helps, so do not let the contents get dry, but at the same time, do not waterlog the composter. Ideally it should be damp to the touch.





5. Site your compost bin directly onto a soil or lawn surface, as this allows insects, worms and microbes to access the bin, and can help breakdown the rotting matter. It also helps with drainage.