Composting in Winter: Tips and Tricks for Success

Composting is a great way to recycle organic materials and enrich soil for gardening. Many individuals, however, believe that composting can only be done in the spring and summer and composting in winter is not possible. Thankfully, that’s not the case; you can still compost in the dead of winter. In this piece, we’ll go into the hows and whys of winter composting.

Can You Compost in Winter?

Composting is possible even in the winter, albeit it takes longer because of the cooler temperatures. In the colder months, it can be challenging to generate enough heat to facilitate the decomposition process.

Composting in the Winter and Its Perks

Among the many advantages of winter composting are:

Waste minimization: composting throughout the colder months keeps organic garbage out of the dump and the fireplace.
Improved soil health: The compost you made last year will continue to add nutrients to your soil, giving your garden a jump start when planting season rolls around.
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: Composting helps cut down on greenhouse gas emissions because it decreases the quantity of methane gas created by landfills.
Reduced landfill waste: Composting in the winter helps people minimise their carbon footprint by diverting organic waste from landfills.
Nutrient-rich soil: Plants can thrive in the nutrient-rich soil that results from creating compost in the winter.
Cost-effective: Saving money on springtime commercial fertilisers can be accomplished by making compost in the winter.

Composting in the winter might be challenging, but not impossible if you follow the steps below.

Tips and Techniques for Winter Composting

1. Select the Appropriate Composting Technique

Among the many composting techniques are:

Hot composting
Cold composting
Vermicomposting

Hot composting is the quickest way, although it is difficult to produce high temperatures in the winter for this purpose. In contrast, cold composting necessitates some alterations so that it can be done during the winter. Composting in the winter is possible with the help of worms in a process called vermicomposting.

2. The Composting Recipe Should Be Modified

You may need to make some changes to your composting recipe in the winter if you want the decomposition process to go more quickly. Some advice is as follows:

Toss in some additional grass clippings, food leftovers, and coffee grounds for good measure.
Decomposition can be sped up by breaking organic matter into smaller particles so chop it down.
Make sure the pile is damp, but not dripping.
Keep the pile warm by covering it with a tarp or other material.

Selecting appropriate materials is crucial for successful winter composting. Leaves and grass clippings, for example, could be harder to come by in the winter. Even in the dead of winter, there are many things that can be composted:

Veggie and fruit peels: These are rich in nitrogen and other nutrients, which are required for the growth of microorganisms that decompose organic matter in the compost pile. They are also high in moisture, which can prevent the compost pile from drying out throughout the winter.
Used tea leaves and coffee grounds: Used tea leaves and coffee grounds are high in nitrogen and other nutrients, making them excellent additions to the compost pile. They can also help to balance the compost pile’s carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, which is essential for efficient composting.
Eggshells: Eggshells are high in calcium, which is required for plant growth. They serve to balance the pH level of the compost, making it more alkaline, when put to the compost pile.
Cardboard and paper, cut up and shredded: Cardboard and paper, broken up and shredded: These materials are rich in carbon and assist to structure and aerate the compost pile. They also aid in the absorption of excess moisture in the compost pile, keeping it from getting overly soggy.
Brown hay and dead leaves: Brown hay and dead leaves: These carbon-rich elements add structure and aeration to the compost pile. They also help to keep the compost pile moist and prevent it from drying out over the winter months.
Fragments of wood(woodchips) and sawdust: These carbon-rich components add structure and aeration to the compost pile. They also aid in the absorption of excess moisture in the compost pile, keeping it from getting overly soggy.
Pine needles: Because pine needles are high in carbon, they are an excellent addition to the compost pile. They also help to structure and aerate the compost pile.
Feral hog manure or (only) herbivore livestock manure: These materials are abundant in nitrogen and make excellent compost pile fertilisers. They should, however, only be used after being aged for at least six months to a year, and not during the winter months, when the compost pile may not reach high enough temperatures to kill any pathogens present in the manure.
Seaweed: Because it is strong in nitrogen, it is an excellent addition to the compost pile. It also contains trace minerals and other plant-friendly elements.
Hairs: Hairs are strong in nitrogen and other nutrients, making them ideal for composting. They also aid in the retention of moisture in the compost pile.
Dog & Cat Droppings: Dog and cat droppings are strong in nitrogen, making them excellent providers of nutrients for the compost pile. They should, however, be utilised with caution because they may carry germs that are hazardous to people.
Urine: Because urine is abundant in nitrogen, it is an excellent addition to the compost pile. It should, however, be diluted with water before adding it to the compost pile because it can burn plants if used in its concentrated form.
Animal Bedding: Animal bedding, such as straw or hay, is high in carbon and makes an excellent addition to the compost pile. It also aids in the absorption of excess moisture in the compost pile.
Brassica Leaves: Such as cabbage or broccoli leaves, are abundant in nitrogen and other elements, making them excellent compost pile additions.
Hedge Trimmings: Because hedge trimmings are high in carbon, they are excellent additions to the compost pile. They also help to structure and aerate the compost pile.

Meat, dairy, and greasy foods can attract pests and take longer to decompose in the winter, so it’s best to avoid composting them during this time of year.

3. Invest in Quality Composting Tools

Having the proper tools can make all the difference in the world when composting in the cold. Some advice is as follows:

To keep the compost warm, you can use a compost bin or a compost tumbler.
Get yourself a compost thermometer so you can keep tabs on the heat levels in your pile.
Regularly turning the pile with a pitchfork or other instrument can aerate the compost and speed up the decomposition process.

4. Organise Your Garden Before Spring

To be ready for spring gardening, winter composting demands forethought. Some advice is as follows:

If you want to maximise the benefits of compost in your garden, it’s important to prepare ahead and choose plants which will benefit most from the compost you’re preparing.
Get your garden ready for the growing season by starting a new compost pile in the spring.
Before applying compost to your garden, strain it through a compost sieve to remove any large pieces of organic matter.

5. Maintaining Temperature of Compost in Winters

More careful temperature regulation is needed for winter composting than for summer composting. Temperatures above 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) and below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius) are ideal for a healthy compost pile.

Here are some ways to stay warm this winter:

Increasing the compost pile’s insulation by adding “brown” items like shredded paper, cardboard, or dry leaves is a good idea.
To hasten decomposition and heat production, toss in smaller food scrap bits.
If you want to keep the heat in your compost pile, cover it with a tarp or something similar.
If you want to be sure your compost is at the right temperature, you should use a thermometer.
Put it where the sun shines; doing so can assist your compost pile retain heat and activity even in the dead of winter.
Placing a compost pile beneath a tree might result in broken branches and other debris falling into the pile, slowing down the decomposition process and potentially damaging the pile.

Protecting Your Compost Through the Cold Season

Heavy snow and ice can bury your compost pile and make it difficult to access, posing a problem for composters in the winter. Keep your compost safe from the elements during winter by following these steps:

To keep your compost from blowing around in the snow, you should build a compost bin or use a robust container.
If you don’t want your compost bin or container to freeze or be covered in snow, you should keep it off the ground.
Consider erecting a windbreak around your compost bin if it is located in an area prone to high winds.
Keep your compost bin or container easily accessible by shovelling snow away from it.
Insulation helps keep the compost pile from freezing over by keeping the temperature stable. Straw, hay, or even an old blanket can be used to cover your compost.

Mistakes People Often Make When Composting in the Winter

While it is possible to have a fruitful winter composting season, there are some pitfalls to avoid:

Not adjusting the compost recipe: Not changing the compost recipe to include more nitrogen-rich materials and smaller pieces of organic matter, which is necessary for winter composting.
Overwatering the pile: It’s important to keep the pile moist, but too much water can slow down the decomposition process.
Neglecting the pile: The compost pile will fail if it is not turned and checked on regularly.