Compost Heap.....Cover or not?

Planet X

Have a decent sized compost heap....well over a square metre I reckon. Shredder, kitchen and general garden cuttings, no grass cuttings.

Just dumped a watering can of water on it now.
Is it beneficial or will it speed up the process if I cover it with, say, cardboard, which will keep the moisture in or just let it breath normally?

It composts really well and I get a decent few wheel barrows off it every year.

Cover or not? It's in a relatively shaded area ie. slight tree cover so not directly in the rain but it gets some rain.
Cheers.

Jim_Hodge

Covering it helps keep some heat in and, more importantly, stops it getting too wet in bad weather.

Hocus Focus

It does need to be covered, to keep in the heat but something permeable is better, like cardboard or old carpet, (not foam-lined). It should have some moisture content but not excessive so some kind of impermeable cover for when heavy rain is forecast will help.
You say you don't include grass cuttings, but you can, if you balance them with some"brown", woody, material like shredded hedge clippings and unbleached card or paper.