Is it possible to compost in the Winter? #beginner
1171721
Cold temperature will limit microbial activity that will break down your raw materials (this is the very reason why humans invented refrigeration so that food wouldnt spoil so fast), but compost will still happen.. just in a much slower phase. In my own experience, it took me about 3 and a half months to make a useable compost with core temperature reaching 120 F. I could not wait intil spring comes because the process will be much faster. Always remember that microbial activity will peak in warm and moist environment :)
1433232
I don't know why you would want to do that. If you're trying to improve the nutrients and the microbial content of your soil I would add manure and earth worms - this is assuming you can't add compost. Adding compost of course does all this for you and more.
277731
yes sprinkle 2 heaping table spoons around tree and work it in the soil---add some type of old manure or compost and work in also---
2078918
Yes you can I did it. Just don't add everything at once . You can use azomite when you plant your vegetable mix it with compost. Letter you can add other organic fertilizers . Just don't over do.
2086334
If you keep enough moisture in compost it will be alright. Best if you do some research on composting on the internet. Our units are about 15 to 20 feet from them house and we have two right next to each other and have no problem.
1328529
Sure it can.We lined the box with landscape cloth then added sand, soil, peat moss, and vermiculite. You may need to add compost next year, but the soil will always be good. You may want to consider a yearly soil test also. Important thing is to have fun with your garden-using a raised bed/square foot-type of approach is a great way to do it. Best wishes for fun gardening season.
408805
I would say that depends on your local weather. If it may freeze, I'd recommend a pot so you can pull it inside over the coldest months.
1857060
I read that I should place the composter in a shadier part of the yard. I got my composter this last winter and located it on the north side of the house. This is a little used area so it was as much for aesthetics as it was for advise. Anyway, our winters are pretty severe. I am in a zone 5. It got down past zero this year. I did not notice much composting action until spring. I never tried the hot water bottle trick, but I did add some compost starter when I got desperate for something to happen. As soon as the weather warmed up, this composter took off and I have one side that I am using on the garden already and the other side is already halfway done. I am very happy with the composter and don't blame it for not being too effective in the winter. If I had it to do over again, I might put the composter on the sunny side of the house, but then it would bake in the summer!
1823347
This is the first winter that I have fully filled by Geobin. As of yet I have not noticed rodents. I do believe putting a tarp over it would slow the composting, depriving the compost materials of the rain, snow, and sun that are conducive to more efficient composting. I have put an approximate 4 inch diameter drainage pipe with holes (from Home Depot, approximately 4.5 feet high) in the center of the pile to also assist the water and snow to reach more compost material.
967353
Sorry, don't compost. I suggest you contact St. Gabriel Organics for info like that.
1997518
I don't see why not. I just pulled one out of my box and gently pulled on it and it was very easy to tear, therefore, it should compost pretty easily.
2271258
Yes but it is too expensive to do that. It is a starter so it has the bacteria in it to foster the growth of good organisms to convert organic matter into compost.
292942
I think its possible.... its funny because I thought of doing that so I can get a head start on my seeds during the late winter season.
1787531
There are plenty of books on this topic - you need a mixture of things like kitchen scraps, yard waste like grass clippings or shredded leaves, and "brown" material like coffee chaff...and other things I can't remember right now. These are two books that I like: Easy Compost (Brooklyn Botanic Garden All-Region Guide)The Complete Compost Gardening Guide: Banner batches, grow heaps, comforter compost, and other amazing techniques for saving time and money, and ... most flavorful, nutritous vegetables ever. But I know some peoplw swear by the Rodale book. I found that one too dense. There are plenty of books on this topic - you need a mixture of things like kitchen scraps, yard waste like grass clippings or shredded leaves, and "brown" material like coffee chaff...and other things I can't remember right now. These are two books that I like: Easy Compost (Brooklyn Botanic Garden All-Region Guide)The Complete Compost Gardening Guide: Banner batches, grow heaps, comforter compost, and other amazing techniques for saving time and... » Read More There are plenty of books on this topic - you need a mixture of things like kitchen scraps, yard waste like grass clippings or shredded leaves, and "brown" material like coffee chaff...and other things I can't remember right now. These are two books that I like: Easy Compost (Brooklyn Botanic Garden All-Region Guide)The Complete Compost Gardening Guide: Banner batches, grow heaps, comforter compost, and other amazing techniques for saving time and money, and ... most flavorful, nutritous vegetables ever. But I know some peoplw swear by the Rodale book. I found that one too dense. « Show Less
468538
I haven't had my composter long enough to know. But, thank you for the heads up! I might try to get it 'under cover' before the snow comes.
1465426
really depends on how many months of cold weather you have in your area. composting slows down considerably from Oct until May in my area. Since Oct, I have filled one side completely and the other is a quarter full. There is only 2 of us and I believed the 33 gallon was enough space. However i didn't realize how much cold weather impacts the process. Once you start composting, you will be surprised at how much organic material you can recycle this way. I am sorry that i didn't purchasing the next size up.
1462404
I live in the cold, frozen north. I just keep my composter in my garage. No varmits and it doesn't freeze.