You don't have to stop composting during the winter just because it's cold! For those who compost indoors or certain climates, this one's a no-brainer. But for those who compost outside during the winter, things can get a bit tricky. We've got some tips.
During the winter, when it's cold and dreary outside and the sun doesn't shine for weeks at a time, you need to prevent your compost from getting too cold. If it does, the microorganisms and/or worms won't be able to get the job done. The two options for continuing your compost throughout the cold months are either:
- Taking your compost inside with an indoor composter.
- Insulating your existing compost bin from the elements.
A key requirement to winter composting is to prevent your pile from freezing. A couple ideas for keeping your compost warm during the winter:
- Insulate your bin with straw or cardboard. Stack hay bales around your bin or strap several layers or cardboard around the perimeter to provide insulation and prevent freezing.
- Cover with plastic (with holes in it) to keep heat and moisture in.
- Put your compost bin in a pit and use the earth as an insulator. By digging a hole a couple feet deep and either using as a compost bin or placing your bin inside, it will stay warmer.
One great thing about the winter months is that you can turn your vegetable garden into a composting area. By using it as a composting site (and covering with plastic to insulate) you can have your beds ready for spring with less effort.
Other Resources:
First photo via Solylunafamilia's Flickr photostream; Second photo via Mickki's Flickr Stream.
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Seriously, bring your compost indoors? Zowie, I would never. If you're doing it right, your compost won't freeze. And if it does, so what? It'll thaw in the spring and start cooking again just fine.
I'm a long-time gardener, live in Zone 6, and the only thing I do differently with my compost in the winter is I stop watering the pile and probably turn it less. I've never heard of a compost pile freezing in temperate areas. If you're covering your pile, how would you toss stuff into it? Soudns like a pain in the neck.
No, composting should be easy (no bins, worms or complicated rules required): just find a good spot and throw your non-meat (and I say non-cob) items on in. Stir regularly, and you'll be fine, regardless of the season.
Yeah, I don't get this. I'm also in zone 6, and I don't do anything special to my compost in the winter. In the fall, I turn whatever's in the bins together with my fall leaves, then just add stuff to the top during the winter. I usually don't bother turning it at all during the winter, honestly. In spring, I take out any finished compost from the bottom to add to my beds, turn the remainder, and continue as normal. One of my bins is covered (a standard plastic compost bin), and the other isn't (just an old wood planter box we don't use anymore for container gardening). The cover definitely seems to help keep things heated up and nicely moist inside, but it's not crucial, obviously.
Maybe the post is talking about trying to maintain a high speed of composting during the winter? I don't see the need for that, personally--I only need compost in order to garden, and if it were warm enough to garden in the winter where I live, I wouldn't need these winter composting tips so much, right? My compost is welcome to take its time in the winter. ;)
I live in zone 5, and the compost pile does end up freezing sometime mid-winter. It makes it harder to dig into to add more compost to it, and things don't compost but stay frozen a while, but come spring, everything speeds back up without any ill effects.
Hyzen and Ladygoat - I searched through Trent Johnson's posts on this blog and he doesn't appear to be a gardening expert. His posts are just fine, of course, it's just I can't see that he posted this based on experience or expertise in gardening. I'll bet it was an effort to post something about gardening in winter, and a composting site or book suggested this odd scheme. Would be happy to hear if I'm wrong!
I just cover my compost pile with an old shower curtain to keep snow off, then just dump the new materials on top, and throw some some leaves on top that I've kept. Its not like I can use my compost in the winter, and I just stir it all up well in the spring. Works for me!! :)
Compost makes itself with no need to help it along unless you're impatient. It's a process not just a result. I live in zone 5, and yes my compost pile freezes outdoors. I still throw new stuff on top. As soon as it thaws, the snow melts & waters it, & it resumes breaking down. Composting does not have to be efficient or fast, it still happens
Burying compost underground is a perfect way to encourage roots to grow into the compost. Not really good for the trees, and a real pain to harvest the compost. You have to be really careful about wher you site the pile!