start with whatever you can find, no minimum
to avoid mice, keep it covered and set it on some 1/4" hardware cloth .... also keep moth balls around it, you prolly won't like the smell any more than they do, but it does keep them at bay

Bill

Missti asks:

"Can the "bad" tomatoes go in there too..and do I just leave them whole (or cut them up)?"

Cut them into small pieces, they will compost faster.

"I think there should be "twigs" at the bottom...which I am sure I can gather by walking down the back lane...that is a start right?"

Small twigs are ok, however, large limbs will make turning the pile harder. Remember, smaller is better.

"Mice-so I will be keep the garden scraps to a minimum (will add little bits) and will be sure to bury them in (stir) when adding."

Add food scraps to the middle of the pile, buried. Also put leaves or some kind of brown on top of the pile to control odors.

"If someone could advise how much I NEED to get in there to start the process...I at least could try to gather that much over the next few days."

Again, use what you have on hand to get started, just make sure you have a good level of browns to bury food scraps. Sounds like you are well on your way to the world of composting...

Blutranes

Twigs on the bottom are unnecessary, the though of using them is that they could improve air circulation through the pile but it it is less that 6 feet by 6 feet air infiltration will not be a problem unless the material uses is too wet.
Moth Balls are a class 1 carcinogen and should never be spread around anyplace except a well closed up space where the gases that they produce will displace the air enough to kill the moth larva. Outside in the garden is not an appropriate place to use moth balls for any reason.

Thanks for the info and the quick response...
I am hoping to choose the area today to put this earthmaster and get started.

I will hit the store and get the hardware wire for the botton, and was thinking of bricks around the bottom edge of it (to hold it down and seal those bottem openings) to help prevent attraction to mice.

I will avoid the moth balls - as much as they would help, I have small dogs and would not want them to get in contact with the moth balls.

I will be careful to bury all food into the pile, and cover with browns to keep down the odor.

Well on my way to composting...uh huh - my hubby said he's not going to let me come HERE anymore - I get "too many ideas" LOL.

**

I do have ONE more question now about the "odor" of the food...buring the food items will prevent the odor...but won't it just start to smell (attract critters) once it gets stirred and the food is moved toward the sides?

I am still a bit confused about how often to stir as some people seem to post "3 to 5 days, then others say "every couple weeks" and other don't seem to stir at all??

There sure is a lot to learn about this...I never thought it about how much there was to know!!

Thanks again for all your input.