[Goldfinger]

My new plot that I'm currently clearing is south facing and very sheltered so I'm guessing that it'll get quite warm/hot in the summer so was wondering, should I site my new compost bin/heap in a full day of sun, or off to one side so it's only for a few hours?

Will / can it overheat and 'spoil' the stuff inside making it useless?

[RichardA]

I believe that being warm and being moist is essential to making good compost in reasonable time. So if you can avoid drying out then go for a sunny spot. Only drawback is that sunny spots are often in short supply so your crops might need to be given priority. Think how easy it will be to get to the bin to fill it (carrying buckets perhaps) and to empty it (shovelling into a barrow perhaps) when ground is wet etc.
I always grow courgettes or marrows or pumpkins on top of my heaps to get back a bit of space.
R

[solway cropper]

I wouldn't put it in full sun for the reason that RichardA suggests. Drying out can easily happen if you don't give it a lot of attention. My 2 daleks, open heap and leaf mould frame are in partial shade but they do get some sun and they produce wonderful stuff for me.

[Christine]

I'm another one who believes that compost heaps are another border for the growing of marrows, courgettes and squash.

After three years, some of the other plot holders are saying now that's a good idea as a heap gives the things something to crawl up as well as freeing up space elsewhere. It may take some time to catch on but if it's a reasonably sunny and sheltered spot with easy access to water as these items are thirsty - well you can borrow my idea.

[Goldfinger]

Christine, can I ask where in Northumberland you at?

[Christine]

Out in the country from you in Prudhoe. 

[Goldfinger]

Prudhoe?? Out in the country!!!???


You havin'a lafff   

I'd say Otterburn and Kielder's 'out in the country'

[SnooziSuzi]

I move mine around annually onto another bed and then when the compostis ready I spread it direct into that bed and move the dalek to the next bed that way I don't need a permanant site for it and the resulting compost is just where I wanted it 

[JayG]

As someone who rarely has enough material all at once to build a heap which will heat up much I site my daleks in a sunny but sheltered spot. Just watch the watering and give it a good stir every month or so.

(Don't give your heap preference over sun-loving plants though; they always come first!)  

[Kristen]

My Daleks are at the North end of the plot, and have trees behind - so they have some shade and moist-ish conditions, but get toasty hit bathing in the midday sun!

Dunno if the councils are still doing subsidised Daleks?  I got my two at about 50% off I think.

[crh75]

When planning where to put your compost bin it is a good idea to bear in mind that it will have a lot of slugs and snails in it.  These will come out at night on foraging missions eating the crops nearby.