How To Compost In The Winter – Dian Farmer Learning To Grow Our Own Food

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Winter may seem like the time to let the garden be, but that’s not the case. There are plenty of pre-winter garden chores to do in any garden during these cooler months.

Including the very essential task of composting. you’re probably wondering how you can compost in the winter when everything is frozen. Below we’ll talk abouts just that. We even talk about vermicompost.

A wheelbarrow out side in the snow — Composting is a great way to eliminate waste, even in the winter.

When it’s close to freezing outside and you’ve hung up the last of your gardening tools for the winter, it’s all too easy to just sit back, enjoy a cozy fire, and let the months pass. But did you know you can still keep your garden productive despite the near sub-zero temperatures?

If you’re an avid fan of using free soil amendments then this is for you. Your composting efforts don’t have to come to a full stop just because the temperatures have dropped. You can still maintain a it throughout the winter months and use it in the spring to give your garden a head start.

Today, we’ll be talking about how to compost successfully in the winter. Let’s get started!

Some Ask: How Long Does Vermicomposting Take And More, We Have The Answers

How To Harvest Worm Castings From Your Vermicompost

Why Compost in the Winter

For some, it may seem counter intuitive to keep a compost pile in the winter. After all, the freezing temperatures often mean most organisms lay dormant for months on end.

But while the bacteria and other microorganisms may slow down because of the cold weather, they don’t necessarily stop working. They can remain active especially in the middle of the compost pile because of the heat caused by the bacteria during oxidation.

Furthermore, the freeze-thaw cycle can help breakdown the organic materials you use in your pile.

So the good news is you can, and should, keep composting in the winter. The only difference is that the decomposition process is slower than in summer or spring.

How To Compost In The Winter Successfully

Protect It

A compost bin outside in the snow — Anything left out in the garden during winter must protect from frosts and freezes.

Winter weather can be aggressively harsh for your compost pile. The freezing winds and precipitation can not only add a layer of frost to the heap but can also drench it in water which can drown microbes.

To avoid this, install a roof or cover the top of your pile with a tarp. This will prevent any unwanted precipitation. You can also block your compost pile in with cinder blocks to help maintain a proper temperature.

Make a Bigger Heap

Working with a bigger compost heap will extend its longevity throughout the winter season. Make sure that the volume of your compost pile is at least 1 cubic yard. With this size compost pile, the center can remain warm and active even if the edges are exposed to the elements throughout the season.

Shred Materials

A person putting sticks into a compost bin — Be sure all waste is broken down before adding it to compost. So things such as newspaper cant be tossed in whole.

Since the process of breaking down organic material is slower in the winter, it is best to shred the materials you will add into your compost pile. Yard clippings should be at least 2 square inches to help manage the temperature within the heap.

Track the Temperature

When discussing how to compost in the winter we can’t forget about the temperature. When the temperature of your compost pile gets too low, the activity of the microbes in it can slow down dramatically. Be sure to add nitrogen-rich materials to increase activity and heat. You can also turn the pile to increase the temperature.

Monitor Moisture

Too much water can drown microbes in your pile especially if you live in an area that receives a lot of rain and snow. Consider using compost containers to prevent moisture from seeping from the ground into your compost pile. You can also add some dry leaves to absorb moisture.

Consider Vermicomposting

A vermicompost — Worm bins are extremely easy to keep indoors in any weather.

Incorporating worms into your winter compost pile can work wonders especially if you prefer to keep your compost container indoors. Worms can turn kitchen scraps into a rich and dark soil amendment that your garden will love in the spring.

For More On Vermicomposting, Check Out: These Tips on Starting A DIY Vermicomposting Bin

No matter what method you use, it’s easy to do. The benefit to your garden is definitely worth it, and it will also save you in the long run on trash bags, so that’s a plus, too.

All you need to do is give it a try and you’ll be glad you did. Once you learn how to compost and choose your favorite method(s) you’ll save yourself a bundle on buying soil amendments and bagged compost. Plus you’ll know what exactly is in what you’re feeding your soil because you created it yourself.

FAQ: Composting

1. How to start a DIY vermicomposting bin?

Answer: How to start DIY vermicomposting bin? To begin your worm bin, you first need to decide whether it will be indoors or out. Then it would be best if you bought all the supplies; once you have that covered, you need to put it all together. For this, you need to prepare a bin with moist newspaper strips, and worms. Now that you know how to start vermicomposting you just have to wait for castings in your worm composting bin DIY.

2. How long does vermicomposting take?

Answer: How long does vermicomposting take? Your vermicompost DIY bin will develop castings two to three months after you set up your DIY vermicompost. After that, you can consider vermicompost harvesting.

3. What are the things to consider in harvesting vermicomposting?

Answer: What are the things to consider in harvesting vermicomposting? After you start your DIY worm compost bin, You need to consider what method of harvesting you want to do for your outdoor or DIY indoor worm compost bin. Now all you need to know is how do you harvest vermicompost.

4. How to harvest vermicompost?

Answer: How to harvest vermicompost? There are a few different ways of harvesting vermicompost. You can use a vermicompost sifter, or stackable trays, or do it manually. All these methods work for harvesting from your worm composter DIY. But be sure not to harvest more than you need.

5. How much compost do I need for a planter?

Answer: How much compost do I need for a planter? You can either look up a compost calculator online or do it by hand. Doing it by hand is quite simple; all you need is the planter’s volume (width X length X depth) and multiply by 0.0833, and that’s it.

Learning how to compost in winter is simple. Click through to learn how to get started and maintain your compost now...

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