5. Cover with anything you have - wood, plastic sheeting, carpet scraps. Covering helps retain moisture and heat, two essentials for compost. Pay special attention to heat, you want to keep the core of the pile around 60 °C. Covering also prevents the compost from being over-watered by rain. The compost should be moist, but not soaked.
6. Turn. Every few weeks give the pile a quick turn with a pitchfork or shovel. This aerates the pile. Oxygen is required for the process to work, and turning "adds" oxygen.
7. Balance carbon/nitrogen ratio. All compostable materials are either carbon or nitrogen-based, to varying degrees. Carbon-rich matter (like branches, stems, dried leaves, peels, egg shells, straw) and Nitrogen matter (like manures, food scraps, green lawn clippings and green leaves) are both essential, one allows oxygen to penetrate and nourish organism, the other is used to create enzymes. A simple rule of thumb is to use one-third green and two-thirds brown materials.
One you’ve established your pile add in new material by mixing it in, instead of adding it in layers. Finally, after about three months you’ll be about ready to use your humus earth for whatever you like!