But I have the problem of the open compost piles - drying out.
Placing it in big plastic compost bins (they look like post office
letterboxes with the bottom cut out) ... that should speed up the compost
process? The problem is that they will be exposed to full sun. It gets very
hot here in Summer - 42C+ or 130F? And the compost worms don't survive. But
it should all still work?

I live in southern California where it gets about 120 degrees (48.89
C) in the summer. I can fry eggs too.

Your bin needs to be open to the ground. That lets worms travel up
and down where you won't see them. It's more than just worms creating
compost.

Compost does not need to be sopping wet all the time. It sounds like
you could use a little shade on the bin. Rig up a little fence or
umbrella or tee-pee something and see if that helps.

Don't give up. You'll get the hang of it.
Laura

--------------
So California
http://www.theGardenPages.com