We operate two Hotbin composters on the Stokes Wood Composting Demonstration site  sometimes between events they are allowed to cool.  Last weekwe did not feed them and the temperature in one   dropped down to 30C. We where rewarded by the growth of this little beauty of a fungus.

More photographs of the decompostion of plant material into compost in open fronted pallet bins   have been published at  http://www.carryoncomposting.com/441149739 .  The material has been turned weekly,  which it was felt would be realistic as far as time devoted to composting where the composter wants to reduce waste sent to landfill but would rather be growing vegetables than making compost. The photos, which may be freely reproduced (just acknowledge www.carryoncomposting.com) provide a weekly record of the making compost on an allotment.  

Weed control by covering the ground with a material to  exclude light  e.g. plastic sheet, cardboard and newspaper, old carpets or groundcover fabric is effective, at least for a year or two, saves the  effort of digging and does not disturb the fabric soil. However, using plastic ground cover sheeting may not be desirable if we are trying to avoid plastic  contamination of the soil and water courses. On allotments such sheeting may be used as a weed suppressant on vacant plots and under woodchip paths.

It can also introduce long strands of black plastic to the compost bin. The photo shows strands found in an allotment community composting bin.

We had an average of 90+ visitors to the composting stand at the wildlife weekend on both days in spite of the rain. This is one of the events where we concentrate on hands-on activities having a small compost safari with material from our wormeries and giving children a chance to make a dozen seedballs using a wild flower mix or poppy seeds. 

The main problem, other than the rain, was that Simon our most adventurous snail kept making a run for freedom but luckily he was only moving at a snails pace so we managed to catch him. The small microscopes that fit smartphones proved very popular with some of our adult visitors

We have posted photographs of the fourth week of composting using pallet compost bins at Stokes Wood Allotment Compost Demonstration Site  in Leicester. The photos which may be freely reproduced show the decomposition of allotment waste at weekly intervals. The photos were taken  when the organic material was aerated by turning it from one bin to another. We will be continuing the series until the compost is ready to use, although during the maturation stage, we may extend the interval between photographs. The full set of photos can be seen at http://www.carryoncomposting.com/441149739