Winter Composting: How to Keep Composting in Cold Weather
Did you know that composting doesn’t have to stop when the temperatures drop? With a few easy adjustments, you can keep composting through winter and turn kitchen scraps into rich compost by spring. Winter composting might slow down, but with the proper setup and tips, your compost pile can stay active—even in freezing temperatures.
Table of contents
- Why You Should Compost in Winter: Benefits and Tips
- Preparing Your Compost Bin for Winter: Set Up for Success
- Balancing Browns and Greens in Winter Composting
- Speed Up Decomposition: Shred and Chop Materials
- Maintaining Moisture in Your Winter Compost Pile
- Keep Turning Your Compost Pile (If Possible)
- Troubleshooting Winter Composting Issues
- Keep Adding Materials
- Avoid Meat, Dairy, and Grease
- Learn More About Winter Gardening
- Share Your Winter Composting Tips!
Why You Should Compost in Winter: Benefits and Tips
Winter composting has its benefits. Not only does it keep food waste out of landfills, but it also gives you a head start on compost production for the spring gardening season. Maintaining a winter compost pile creates the perfect conditions for enriching soil just in time for planting. Plus, it’s a great way to use kitchen scraps when outdoor gardening slows down.
Quick Tip: Even if your compost slows down, it decomposes. With some winter care, you’ll have rich, dark compost ready by spring.
Preparing Your Compost Bin for Winter: Set Up for Success
A good setup is key to keeping your compost going through winter. If you already have a bin, ensure it’s ready to handle the colder months.
Insulate Your Compost Bin
Cold weather slows composting, so insulating your compost bin can help retain warmth. Wrap it in straw bales, old blankets, or a tarp to trap heat.
Move Your Bin to a Sheltered Location
If possible, move your compost bin to a sheltered location, like against a south-facing wall, where sunlight will warm it.
Choose a Closed Bin for Better Heat Retention
Open compost piles lose heat quickly, so a closed bin, tumbler, or insulated compost bin can help maintain temperatures and keep pests away.
Quick Tip: A layer of cardboard around the inside of the bin adds insulation and helps keep moisture levels steady.
Balancing Browns and Greens in Winter Composting
The basic compost recipe—balancing “greens” (nitrogen-rich materials) and “browns” (carbon-rich materials)—is even more critical in winter.
Add Extra Browns to Prevent Sogginess
Winter composting can get soggy due to rain and snow, so add more carbon materials like dry leaves, straw, or shredded newspaper to absorb excess moisture.
Keep Greens Coming for Nitrogen Boost
Continue adding kitchen scraps, such as fruit peels, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells. These provide the nitrogen needed to keep microbes active.
Pro Tip: Stockpile bags of dry leaves in the fall. They make excellent brown material for winter composting, balancing out those wetter, nitrogen-rich scraps.
Speed Up Decomposition: Shred and Chop Materials
In cold weather, compost piles decompose more slowly. Shredding or chopping up materials before adding them can help speed things up.
Break It Down
Chop kitchen scraps into small pieces and shred cardboard, newspaper, or leaves before adding them. The smaller the pieces, the faster they break down, even in cooler temperatures.
Avoid Large Chunks
Whole fruits, veggies, or large chunks of plant matter take longer to decompose and can slow the process. To speed up the breakdown, try blending food scraps in a blender with water before adding them.
Quick Tip: Keep a small “chopping station” by your kitchen compost bin to make it easy to prep scraps before they go outside.
Maintaining Moisture in Your Winter Compost Pile
In winter, compost piles are vulnerable to drying out due to wind or becoming too wet from snow and rain.
Check Moisture Levels
Your compost should be about as moist as a wrung-out sponge. If it’s too dry, add water sparingly; if it’s too wet, add dry materials like leaves or shredded paper.
Cover Your Bin
A tarp or lid can help regulate moisture by preventing excess rain and snow from getting in. This simple step keeps the pile from getting too soggy, which can halt decomposition.
Winter Weather Tip: Be cautious with water. If the temperature drops below freezing, it’s better to gradually add dry material than to oversaturate your pile.
Keep Turning Your Compost Pile (If Possible)
Turning compost introduces oxygen, which helps microbes stay active. Even in winter, some movement in the pile can prevent it from becoming stagnant.
Turn Sparingly
In frigid temperatures, limit turning to retain heat. If temperatures are mild, turn the pile every 1-2 weeks.
Use a Pitchfork or Compost Aerator
These tools make fluffing the pile easier without disturbing too much heat.
Note: If it’s simply too cold, don’t worry! Layers will still decompose slowly. A thick layer of insulating material on top can trap heat for a bit longer.
Troubleshooting Winter Composting Issues
Here’s a quick-reference table to help you troubleshoot typical winter composting problems:
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Pile smells bad | Too wet or lacks oxygen | Add dry browns and turn the pile |
| Pile is frozen | Extremely cold temperatures | Keep adding layers; it will resume in spring |
| Pests or animals | Food scraps exposed | Cover scraps with leaves or soil; or use a closed bin |
| Pile is too dry | Cold wind or lack of moisture | Add water gradually and cover the pile |
| Pile is too wet | Excess rain or snow | Add dry materials like leaves or newspaper |
Keep Adding Materials
Continue layering kitchen scraps and browns throughout the winter. Although decomposition slows, layering will prepare the pile to “wake up” in early spring.
Avoid Meat, Dairy, and Grease
These items attract pests and don’t break down well, especially in winter. Stick to plant-based kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, and dry leaves.
Reminder: Compost “hibernating” is standard. Once temperatures rise, microbial activity will reoccur, and the breakdown process will restart.
Winter Composting FAQ
Yes, compost can freeze, but decomposition will pause until temperatures rise again. Once the weather warms, microbes will resume breaking down the materials.
Your compost should feel like a wrung-out sponge. If it’s dry, add water sparingly. If it’s too wet, add dry materials like shredded paper or leaves to absorb excess moisture.
If you follow the brown-to-green balance and insulate your bin, winter composting should not be smelly. A bad odor usually means too much moisture or not enough oxygen, so add dry browns and aerate the pile if needed.
Adding a small amount of snow can provide moisture, but don’t overdo it. Snow adds cold to the pile, so try to maintain a balance without significantly lowering the pile’s temperature.
Learn More About Winter Gardening
Share Your Winter Composting Tips!
Winter composting can be challenging, but it’s worth the effort for rich, nutrient-packed compost come spring. What’s your favorite winter composting tip?
Author: Laura Kennedy
Writer and Owner of Little Yellow Wheelbarrow
Laura is a highly skilled gardener and fervent flower enthusiast. Despite her playful battle with plant spacing guidelines, Laura’s work inspires gardeners to create thriving, beautiful spaces that reflect both creativity and sustainability.