Winter Composting

Winter Composting

By now most of us are familiar with composting and how it is done. Composting is the process of recycling organic matter and turning it into compost which can be used in gardens to nourish plants and for other purposes. Composting is very environmentally friendly and it is great to see that there are more people than ever before taking an interest in it. For people who are just getting started in recycling, composting is one of the easiest ways to get off on the right foot and start recycling but people often wonder if they can continue to compost in the winter.

What are you supposed to do with that compost bin once the weather turns cold? You are not alone if you are asking the question of what to do with your compost pile during those cold winter months. Winter composting can be done if you go about things the right way. Keep in mind that the decomposition process will take a lot longer during the colder months so usually you will have less compost to work with during the winter.

If you tend to keep your compost bin outdoors, you will probably want to move it inside over the course of the winter. This is going to help prevent your compost mixture from freezing up entirely. If you have room in your garage or shed you can store your compost bin here and may even want to set a heater up in the room to keep it at the right temperature. Although it will mean a bit of extra cost for you, at the same time you are going to benefit by keeping your compost safe so that you can use this compost year round or just let it build up until the snow thaws.

Just because this is rotting waste it does still need to be kept at the proper temperature and you can use a compost thermometer to help you keep on top of this. There are other options you have as well and for instance you could get a compost bin with a secure lid and keep it indoors. There are some pretty fancy compost bins you can find today and which are not at all disgusting to look at. Whether you go with stainless steel or any other material, make sure you check it over before buying.

Take time and consider all your options before making any decisions. The lid is the most important feature so you want to look for one that has a sealed closure and tight locking lid. Winter composting can be very successful and then as soon as the hot weather returns you can go back to composting as you normally would. Keeping your compost indoors or in a warm area will ensure it stays fresh and nutrient-rich over the winter months.