"0tterbot" wrote in message
...
apparently (using that as soemthing of a disclaimer ;-) the process of
organic stuff breaking down has an ideal temperature range of
(approximately!!!) 15-25 degrees or so. (if i could think what book i read
that in, i could check, couldn't i? ;-)

it has to do with ideal operating temperatures for worms & bacteria etc,
rather than the stuff itself (which clearly has no opinion).

when it's hotter than that (considering sun exposure and colour of bin),
you might experience far less decomposition than you'd hope for (that is
my experience). the worms & bugs either clear off or they die if they
can't get away. you might also find the compost has overheated (grey
matter in the compost, smoke coming out - again, my rather alarming
experience). compost which has overheated entirely, as well as not
breaking down properly (but rather, smouldering) might present a fire
hazard of some sort. you can cool it by leaving it open, watering & airing
it regularly, but it just won't be the same once that's happened, the
bacteria will be dead & it takes _ages_ to get going again.

if i were you i'd think about what sort of shade could be provided for
summer. a simple shelter comprised of posts and shade cloth, perhaps? you
can use wet hessian over the top, but that sounds like a pointless hassle
to me if you could organise shade over the bins instead.
kylie

Thanks Kylie. I don't think the hessian bag will work. Its just very hot.

I've relocated one of the compost bins to a very shady spot. And I'll try
and relocate more in that corner.

I'll keep one in the hot area - minus the worms - and see how that fares
over Summer. That spot is fairly large and out of the way and sight - hence
my desire to place my compost bins there.