If the compost smells, then add brown material along with limestone or gypsum and turn the compost more often. If the mix is dry and inactive then add water, more green material and nitrogen fertilizer. Composters come in many sizes and shapes. There are very good ones available at your local garden centre made of sturdy black recycled plastic. These are an ideal size for many gardens and are easy to work with.
Material is added to the top and the finished compost is taken out of the bottom.
Turn the pile once a week, if you can, and you will have a steady supply of rich compost. The more compost you have for the fall, the better for your garden. I like to surround my plants with a thick layer of compost to protect their roots and improve the soil when I dig it in next spring. Daisy Moore, 1998.