How To Speed Up Composting In Winter

Managing compost over winter.

How to speed up composting in winter. To start a leaf compost pile gather together the leaves and layer with dirt. Layering keeps the active compost warm. To encourage oxygen rich smell free microbes turn your pile often to aerate it. Add the new mix of compost and then add another layer of brown materials.

Leaves serve as a great fuel for your compost pile. Placing a layer of twigs or bottoms at the bottom of your compost pile traps air inside the compost pile. Ideally turn your compost once a week. Materials to avoid in winter composting.

Collect leaves in the fall and store under cover for composting use throughout winter. You may have noticed that the car in the garage or in the carport tends to be less frost ridden. Its also wise to insulate the pile against the heat with straw newspapers or leaves piled on the outside. If you really want to speed things up first always finely chop anything you add to the pile.

Dry leaves are great for keeping moisture to a minimum in your compost heap. When raking the yard be sure to save a bag or two of dry leaves for over the winter months adding them to the pile whenever you add other organic matter. The pile should be about 4ft in diameter and 3ft deep. Know what you can compost.

Include kitchen scraps such as. The contents of your winter composting collection can be the same throughout the year. Protect your compost pile in the winter. Control external environmental factors by protecting your compost pile from.

Get the right ratio. You have one over your head why cant your pile. Turn the center of the pile out towards the sides and turn the material on the sides into the hot center. This will ensure that all of the beneficial critters in the compost will stay toasty all winter long.

Use one layer of dirt for each foot of leaves. Strategies for success despite the cold. Youll need to protect your pile from rain water with a tarp andor small roof. The smaller the bits the faster they can break down.

The same concept for managing your winter compost heap applies as any other time with layers of browns and greens. Next if you have an open compost pile a bigger mass of greens and browns is better for heat so make it as big as you can in winter. Add a layer of branches at the bottom. Pile straw or hay bales around your bin or packed leaf bags.

The best compost piles layer green kitchen scraps fresh garden waste etc. 16 ways to speed up your compost. Use a compost duvet. Pre winter preparations collect lots of leaves.

Begin loading the ingredients into the composter with a layer of brown materials. Use a hot water bottle to kick start your compost. Build a productive pile. With browns that include straw newspaper and dead leaves.

Composting requires heat to keep the bio organisms and bacteria active. But winter isnt known for heat. 10 tips for winter composting.