Composting in the winter is very do-able, but the methods will have to be adapted to your climatic conditions. The process of aerobic decomposition is continuous under almost all conditions and never really stops, but as can be imagined, the cold weather slows the action to a glacial crawl. There are however some tricks in maintaining your compost pile during the cold weather which will also help speed up the composting process.
Composting creates heat which is generated by the biological action of the organisms and bacteria which decompose the materials that you have deposited into your raw compost and which will eventually turn into rich humus like soil. The heat has to reach approximately 160 degrees in order to kill the weed seeds, human and animal pathogens, plant pathogens and pests. The cold weather compost which is produced is probably not as good a product as the compost produced under more ideal conditions, but when placed in the garden the benefits are still viable and a tremendous soil amendment.
Some tried and tested methods to make your cold weather composting successful.
If you have a self-enclosed compost bin or better yet, a compost tumbler, move it to the sunny side of a building or a wind break. Make a wind break out of hay bales and cover the tumbler with a dark colored tarp. The dark color will absorb the sun's warmth and create a warm environment. This is a good reason to buy a black bin or tumbler rather than a light colored container which will reflect the sun's rays.
Convert one of your hot beds into a compost pile for the winter. The clear top will allow the sun to keep the pile perking.
Add shredded leaves to the bin, the carbon will provide fuel for the decomposition process.
Add fresh green material as needed, keeping the ratio of 2 to 3 parts brown to 1 part green, of course this is not an exact ratio, but close enough.
Do not forget to rotate or turn the compost. Aeration is vital for good composting conditions even in the frigid weather.
Do not get the compost too wet, as this will inhibit the aeration process. The compost should be damp like a sponge, but not sopping.
Add fresh material as available. Shred or chop the pieces of materials to keep the chunks smaller so that they will have a chance to decompose more quickly.
Consider vermiculture or worm composting which can be done indoors and year round. Red wiggler worms create wormcastings which are another form of rich compost.
Keep weed seeds out of the compost. Winter compost will not generate enough heat to kill these seeds, instead set the weeds aside and add to the compost that you are going to make next summer.
Keep a kitchen compost bucket under the sink or some other handy spot in the house. The heat from this fresh material will help maintain the temperature of the compost.
Above all, do not lose heart; spring is almost around the corner.
Dick Murray is a retired urbanite who has kept his passion for gardening alive with the creation of informational web sites such as backyard compost tumbler More and more families are beginning to grow their own fruits and vegetables due to their increased concern regarding the quality, price and safety of our food supplies.
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