Composting in the winter might seem challenging, but it’s actually a fantastic way to keep food scraps, yard waste, and other organic material out of landfills year-round. Additionally, continuing to compost all through the winter will ensure that you have lots of great compost ready to nourish your soil and plants when spring time rolls around. Winter composting is all about keeping your pile active in colder temperatures and understanding how to keep it breaking down when natural processes slow down.
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Methods for Winter Composting
Depending on your space, climate and resources there are a few ways to compost in the winter. Here are the most popular methods:
1. Outdoor Compost Bin or Pile
If you already have an outdoor compost bin, you can keep it going in the winter with a few tweaks:
Insulate Your Pile: Add straw, leaves or a tarp around your pile to insulate it and keep the heat in.
Layer Heavily with Browns: As you add greens, make sure to layer in plenty of browns (like dead leaves or shredded newspaper) to balance out the moisture.
Turn Less Often: Turning in the winter can release heat. Instead try to turn the pile less often to keep the heat in.
2. Insulated Compost Bins
Insulated compost bins are great for winter. These bins are designed to trap and retain heat, even in freezing temperatures.
What to Use: Use commercial insulated compost bins or make your own by insulating the outside with straw bales, styrofoam or even bubble wrap.
Placement Matters: Place the bin in a sunny spot to capture more heat during the day.
3. Vermicomposting (Indoor Composting)
Vermicomposting uses worms (often red wigglers) to break down food scraps and is great for composting indoors when outdoor piles slow down.
Setup: Use a shallow bin, add moist bedding (like shredded cardboard) and add your worms.
Best for Small Quantities: Vermicomposting is good for kitchen scraps but not practical for large amounts of yard waste.
Maintain Temperature: Keep the bin in a basement or utility closet to maintain temperatures between 55-75°F.
4. Trench Composting
This method involves digging a trench or hole in your garden and depositing compostable material. Once covered with soil it will decompose naturally with minimal maintenance.
How to Do It: Dig a trench 12-18 inches deep, add your compostable material, then cover with soil.
Advantages: The soil acts as insulation and by spring the composted material will be right in the garden soil.
5. Bokashi Composting
Bokashi is a Japanese composting method that uses a specific type of bacteria to ferment food waste, great for winter since it can be done indoors.
How It Works: Add scraps to a Bokashi bin and sprinkle Bokashi bran (inoculated with beneficial bacteria) over the waste. The waste ferments and after a couple of weeks you can bury it to finish the decomposition.
Perfect for Small Spaces: Bokashi bins are compact, great for kitchens or garages.
Tips for Successful Winter Composting
To keep your compost active in cold weather, try these handy tips:
1. Use Smaller Pieces
Chop or shred scraps and yard waste into smaller pieces, as they’ll decompose faster. Smaller pieces allow bacteria to work more efficiently.
2. Stockpile Brown Material
In winter, brown material like leaves, straw, and shredded paper helps balance the moisture levels. Stockpile these materials during fall, so you’ll have enough for winter.
3. Add Hot Water Bottles or Manure
Adding fresh manure (if available) or hot water bottles near the pile can create heat, helping maintain a steady temperature for decomposition.
4. Use a Tarp for Insulation
Covering your pile with a tarp helps retain warmth and prevents excess moisture from snow or rain, which can make compost too wet and cold.
5. Consider Location
Place your compost bin in a sunny location or next to a building for extra warmth.
6. Limit Large Additions
Avoid adding too many large items, like thick branches or whole vegetables, as they can slow down the process. Stick to small scraps to keep decomposition steady.
Common Winter Composting Problems & Solutions
Winter composting does come with a few unique challenges. Here are some common issues and solutions:
1. Pile Freezing Over
Problem: In extremely cold climates, your compost pile might freeze.
Solution: While a frozen pile won’t break down during winter, decomposition will resume when temperatures rise. Keep adding scraps throughout winter, so the pile is ready to reactivate in spring.
2. Excess Moisture
Problem: Snow and rain can add too much moisture, slowing down composting.
Solution: Cover your compost pile with a tarp or add plenty of dry browns, like straw or shredded paper, to soak up excess moisture.
3. Rodents or Pests
Problem: In winter, pests may be attracted to the warmth and food in your compost pile.
Solution: Bury food scraps under a layer of browns, avoid adding meat or dairy, and secure your bin with a lid. If rodents persist, consider using a rodent-proof bin.
4. Slowed Decomposition
Problem: Cold temperatures naturally slow down bacterial activity.
Solution: Insulate your pile, avoid turning it too often, and try adding warm water or manure to increase heat.
What to Add and Avoid in Winter Compost
In winter, certain materials can help your compost stay balanced, while others may pose problems. Here’s a quick guide:
Good Additions
- Kitchen Scraps: Fruit peels, veggie scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells.
- Brown Materials: Shredded cardboard, dead leaves, straw.
- Hot Materials: Fresh manure, if available, can increase pile temperature.
Avoid Adding
- Large Branches: They’ll take too long to break down.
- Excess Wet Material: Avoid adding too much wet material without balancing it with browns.
- Grease and Oils: These can create odor issues and attract pests.
Winter composting is an easy and rewarding way to keep your composting habits going year-round. With the right setup, you can keep your pile active and ready to enrich your garden come spring. From insulated bins to indoor methods like vermicomposting and Bokashi, there’s a winter composting method for every space and situation. So grab those food scraps, a little insulation, and get composting all winter long!
