Until you can't identify the kitchen scraps/everything looks like dirt. OR whenever you feel like it. It really depends on where you want to put it. Anywhere near food crops, you need it to be proper compost. Under some manky shrub, you can let it rot on the ground.
And yes, you should keep watering it. I'm in a dry climate and I spend half my life watering my rubbish.
Thank you! It does seem that way for me too.