Even when the weather outside turns cold and frosty, dedicated composters know that the show must go on. While summer composting often feels easy, things can slow down when the thermometer dips. However, with some preparation and the right techniques, you can keep your compost pile active and productive all winter long.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore winter composting methods, troubleshooting cold weather compost issues, and tips to help your pile thrive when there’s snow on the ground. From insulation ideas to ingredient suggestions tailored to the season, we’ve got you covered. Armed with this advice, you’ll be on your way to creating rich, usable compost no matter what Old Man Winter throws your way.
Getting Your Pile Ready for Colder Temperatures
When planning for winter composting, the first thing to address is your compost bin or enclosure itself. An actively decomposing compost pile gives off heat, but that warmth will dissipate quickly in cold air. To retain as much heat as possible, your compost system needs insulation and protection from chilling winds.
Here are some ways to winterize your setup:
- Move portable compost bins near buildings, trees, or fences to shelter them from northwest winds. A southern exposure captures more winter sunlight.
- Insulate bins made from wire or wood slats by wrapping them in burlap, straw, or bubble wrap secured with twine or staples.
- For loosely piled compost heaps, provide a thermal mass barrier against the cold ground by placing a 4-6 inch layer of straw, leaves, sawdust, or wood chips underneath.
- Trap rising heat by draping tarps or old blankets over the pile, leaving the bottom open for aeration.
- Add an extra 12-18 inches of bulking material like wood chips or shredded fall leaves around the sides of enclosed bins.
These adaptations trap radiant heat energy and buffer temperature swings. Your “blanketed” compost should maintain an internal temperature between 90-140 degrees Fahrenheit despite plummeting air temps.
What to Compost in Winter
A hot compost pile starts with the right mix of carbon-rich “browns” and nitrogen-rich “greens.” Finding a good ingredient balance during winter takes planning since yard waste is scarce. Stockpile dry leaves in the fall once they are no longer suitable as mulch. Tree trimmings, sticks, straw, hay, and shredded paper make excellent woody carbons for winter too.
Here are some prime nitrogen sources and “greens” for cold-weather composting:
- Vegetable and fruit scraps from holiday cooking
- Crushed eggshells
- Coffee grounds and tea bags
- Livestock bedding manure (no dog or cat waste)
- Garden plant trimmings and dormant weeds
- Sawdust from untreated wood
- Pine needles
- Houseplant clippings
- Used paper towels and tissues
- Nut shells
- Fireplace ashes from wood or paper fuel (small amounts)
- Shredded newspaper
- Cardboard boxes, paperboard, toilet paper rolls
The recommended carbon-to-nitrogen ratio for efficient composting is 25-30:1. But in winter, it’s smart to skew toward 35:1 or even 40:1 to generate more heat. Mix and layer materials as they become available.
Turning and Maintaining Your Pile Through Winter
Turning or mixing a compost heap introduces oxygen to support aerobic bacteria. It also redistributes heat, moisture, and resources. But frigid temperatures can deter the enthusiasm for this task. To promote decomposition during winter:
- Use a compost aeration tool to poke holes down into the pile about every 2 weeks without completely inverting materials.
- Mix in a shovelful of finished compost or soil that contains heat-loving bacteria.
- Sprinkle on some bone meal, blood meal, lime, or wood ash to adjust pH and nutrient levels.
- Monitor moisture weekly. The interior should feel damp like a wrung-out sponge – not dusty dry or sopping. Add snowmelt or rain rather than tap water which might freeze.
Troubleshooting Ice Cold Compost
Even with your best preparations, winter compost can still turn chilly and inert. Here are some common issues and remedies:
Symptom: The center of the pile freezes solid.
Solution: Insulate better or move to a warmer spot. Mix in straw, leaves, sawdust or wood ash to improve airflow. Turn and fluff up the contents after a thaw.
Symptom: Your compost lacks heat and seems stagnant.
Solution: Add more nitrogen-dense greens like manure, coffee grounds, or fresh grass clippings. Incorporate new carbons to maintain a hot pile.
Symptom: Persistent bad smells from excessive moisture.
Solution: Turn the compost to dry it out and improve aeration. Add woody browns like sawdust or wood chips to soak up excess moisture.
Symptom: Evidence of pests like mice or raccoons.
Solution: Eliminate access points in bin walls, secure lids, and stop adding food scraps for 1-2 months. Remove and discard any molded sections.
Alternative Hot Composting Methods
What if you just can’t seem to sustain an active outdoor compost pile once winter strikes? Consider one of these alternate hot composting solutions instead:
Indoor vermicomposting – Composting earthworms feast on kitchen scraps year-round. Maintain their bedding between 55-80°F for healthy reproduction and castings production.
Bokashi buckets – This anaerobic fermentation system enables indoor composting in cold climates. Bokashi uses microorganisms to pickled and partly break down food waste. Transfer contents to an outdoor bin in spring.
Solar composting in a glass-panel greenhouse – Passively heated greenhouses allow composting during winter without freezing. Build one or buy a kit greenhouse with solar ventilation.
Thermophilic indoor bins – Insulated hot compost receptacles use fans or tumblers to keep the temperature 90°F+ even in unheated spaces like garages or enclosed porches. Kitchen waste decomposes quickly.
Basement worm bins – Vermicomposting works indoors year-round. Bins holding 1,000+ red wigglers can recycle over 50% of a household’s annual food waste while emitting little odor.
Getting the Most From Winter Compost
By spring, pesticide-free compost made from last fall’s dropped leaves and other yard materials should be ready to screen and apply. While not as nutrient-dense as summertime super-soil, winter compost still benefits all types of gardens. Use it to:
- Boost soil structure and moisture retention
- Enrich beds for vegetables and flowers
- Mulch perennials and trees
- Top-dress lawns
- Pot up seedlings and pots
- Make compost tea fertilizer for indoor plants
With freeze-thaw cycles and precipitation, Mother Nature lends a hand with winter composting. With minimal effort, you can create usable organic matter and divert waste from the landfill even during the coldest months. Employ these weatherizing tips and ingredient suggestions, and your pile will keep decomposing through the season.
