Last week, I turned my compost pile for the first time since it was built in November.
Original construction: 70% dry leaves and 30% green leaves and grass placed in alternating levels in a square-yard heavy wire cage. I did not have a thermometer but the temperature in the center had decreased signifcantly based on touch. The pile had decreased to approximately 60% in volumn since November.
I alternated the working compost with layers of new green growth (mostly weeds) from a yard cutting in the new construction. February. The new pile filled about 90% of the cage and returned to a "hot" center quickly. Two weeks later, it has decreased another 50% in volumn.
I left two-three inches of completely composted material at the previous site and built the new pile next to the old. I think it will be ready in another 4-6 weeks.