First proper compost heap - looks ok?

Been wanting to compost for a while, and finally managed to carve out the space. I’d already stashed a load of material so it’s basically full already. Bit worried it’s too much brown and not enough green, but I’ve chopped it all as small as I can.

Anything else I can do to ensure success?

 

Cover with square of carpet. Fit wooden lid to protect from rain, you can easily add water, not so easy to wring it out !
You will find that it will compost and allow you to add more(Probably within 4-6 weeks)

 

With such big gaps in the front, you might find that the stuff near that side dries out too easily and then doesn't rot down. The best approach is to turn it now and then so that the edges go into the middle, watering any dry bits as you go. Conversely you don't want it too wet in the winter, and you want to keep in any heat that it generate, so yes do cover it. If you don't want to make a lid, a weighted down tarp or some such thing will work.

 

If it was mine I'd shove some sheets of cardboard down the front to keep the heat in and help it stay not too wet or too dry.

 

Looks grand !

The only thing to better it, is to build a second one, that allows you to 'turn' the compost from one bin to another , so making the process quicker.

 

Thanks all! Would love to have space for two but it’s just not an option in this garden. That’s why I went for the design with the slanted front slats (that’s why the gaps at the front look so big - they’re not actually as big as they appear, just angled). The idea is the front can be easily removed to turn the heap.
I’ll have a look at what I can lay my hands on to cover it.

 

Anything will do for covering it - plastic bags, tarpaulin, carpet etc. If you have large bits of cardboard you can use those with some compost bags over the top. That will protect it from excess wet, but the card will also break down and become part of the mix. If you're able to 'fashion' a timber lid, that will make it easier to get in and add more when needed, and you can line that as well if you have anything suitable. If you fancied it - you could use those slats to make a lid, and make a front that would just lift off in one go.
I made a 'box' for my 2 plastic bins, which are in a corner between two house walls. I just used some old posts to make a basic surround, added old bits of timber round the top and bottom to make it secure, and then used pond underlay etc to cover the sides. Some old trellis, lined and hinged for the top, and similar for the front, which then lifts off. There's some brackets for that to sit on, and a couple of large thumb turns at the bottom to keep it in place. I just used lots of stuff I had lying around. I got some old carpet from my daughter's flat earlier this year, so that's been tucked in too. It all helps for insulation.
I've never had to add water to a compost heap - we could do with them drying out a bit here!