Winter Composting

You can't compost in the winter, right? Well, yes and no. The microbial action and insect work certainly slows down greatly and it may not look like anything is happened. After all, we have freezers in our house exactly because low temperatures nearly stop decomposition in its tracks. However, you can continue building your compost pile through the winter months: food waste topped with carbon (autumn leaves, straw, et al) to be ready for warmer temps.. I just went out to turn my stacked pile and saw a great indicator of Spring: fat earthworms like snakes tunneling through the pile and steam rising from the newly-turned stuff. The center is noticeably warm to the touch and is already starting to break down. 


If you are going to winter compost, make sure that your bin is rodent-resistant. Mice, rats, opossum, skunks, and squirrels will all happily dig in the smorgasbord you leave lying under just a thin layer of leaves. While you don't want to contriubte to the well-being of the wild rodent population, it's even more annoying to have the little critters be stealing the nutrients you're carefully saving and trying to compost.