I am into my first year of gardening and it's important because the life
style I've chosen, having taken early retirement, is to be almost
totally self sufficient in food

That all sounds very good, do as much as you can now while you are still
active because I found that I had to change my plans because I ran out
of energy, so do it while you can :-)
I never turn my compost because it is a horse muck heap and there is too
much to turn, the top looks rubbish but underneath is wonderful.
kate