Have you tried to compost year-round in our snowy climate and had issues? I got my composter set up to ride out the winter this weekend, and wanted to share some of the things I have learned the hard way.
Here (west of Edmonton, AB) the temps have been consistently below 0C at night and we are heading into double digits below zero this week. So I got my compost pile ready for winter just in time! There are several key points to keep in mind if you also live in a cold winter area:
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Your compost will freeze solid and that is ok. Everything freezes solid at -30C. If you read on the internet that if you build it a certain way it will keep working all winter, they probably weren’t talking about zone 4 and colder. But if it is well built and has enough moisture, it will jump back into action when it thaws in spring.
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Rodents living in the compost with its food sources and insulation is a common issue- I have had it happen myself. The trick is to make sure all the components in your pile are thoroughly wet before it freezes. Nobody wants to live in a block of ice, including the mice! I also rot down my kitchen waste in the collection buckets I use, to the point that it is… mostly unrecognizable as food. I would rather not attract skunks by putting out possible food sources. (My buckets have a tight lid so that smells can’t escape.)
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Layering your browns (carbon) and greens (nitrogen) is still the way to go, watering each layer. In the fall we usually have ample materials to compost due to the garden being harvested and dead leaves. Stockpile some browns for use during winter if you are willing to brave the cold and top up your pile, or save them until spring when it is harder to find carbon sources.
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When you are building your pile, add more microbes. I took a few shovelfuls of soil/compost from the bottom of my pile and added them back in, halfway up the pile. If you have worm castings, or Effective Micronutrients, add those. Anything to help the microbial population work on the pile when they come out of dormancy in the spring.
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Add to your pile in winter… or don’t. I stockpile my kitchen waste in plastic buckets outside and then add them in spring. The buckets freeze on my porch and the contents get extra broken down with the freeze/thaw that happens. I do throw snow on the top of my pile, just to make sure it doesn’t dry out by spring.
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When spring comes, give your pile a good fork-ing as soon as you notice it has thawed. You will find that the volume has decreased by 40-50% just from the freeze/thaw assist from Mother Nature. As it thaws, the microbes will get to work digesting your materials, and provide even more heat to warm the pile. Add a bit more water as needed, and bam! You have created black gold, just in time to top dress your spring plants!
Happy Winter Composting!
By Jennifer Burns-Robinson
