[Tania]

The pile is still quite hot, although the temperature dropped to 126F 4" down. I am sure it is hotter if we dig further. I find that it stays hotter when covered (we covered it with plastic garbage bags, to keep it moist). It is in full shade, so it does not get any additional heat from sun.

Tracy,

Lucky you to have manure! That certainly helps to heat it up.
We only have coffee grinds and wood chips, and some limited kitchen scraps we produce in our household.

Also, with the wood chips, I was wondering if turning the pile may not be such a good idea, as turning will break fungi mycelium (strands). I thought fungi is what breaks down cellulose and lignin in the wood chips. What do you think?

Tatiana