composting newbie and i need help.?

[Penelope]

i bought a plastic bin with a cover,should i keep the cover on? or should make wholes in it,or no cover at all? is there a certain way of layering the compost? when should i mix it?
please and thank you!

 

[Melissa]

If there are no holes in it already I would suggest drilling a few holes in it. You will actually want to poke a few holes in the bottom too because it needs to be able to drain. Leaves and grass clippings, food garbage (eg egg shells, wilted lettuce, carrot tops, apple cores.) and if you have it a shovel full of finished compost to speed it up. Don't add animal waste, if you are using store bought animal waste it should be added to dirt where the plants are going to be planted, not the compost pile.
The moisture level should feel like damp, wrung out paper towels, add water if needed.
The pile should also be turned once a week.