How To Keep Composting Through Winter
When cold weather sets in, many people just stop composting, unsure how to keep it going when everything outside freezes over. While the composting process definitely does slow down, your food scraps and yard waste can still break down with the right approach. With a few changes, you can maintain a healthy compost system that supports your garden year-round and keeps waste out of the landfill.
Adjust Your Expectations
No matter what you do, composting in winter simply will not move as fast as it does in summer. Microorganisms and worms naturally slow down when the temperature drops, so materials won’t break down at the same rate. That doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. Just keep adding to your pile and understand it may take a few extra months to see finished compost.
Protect the Heat
The key to keeping your compost going in winter is holding onto as much warmth as possible. A good-sized pile helps trap heat in the center, so don't skimp on volume. You can also insulate your compost bin with straw bales, cardboard, or old blankets wrapped in plastic. If you use a tumbler or smaller bin, consider moving it to either a sunnier or more sheltered spot near a building or fence to shield it from wind.
Keep Feeding the Pile
Even in the cold, keep adding your kitchen scraps. Fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, and eggshells are all welcome. If it's freezing outside and you don’t want to trek to the bin daily, collect scraps in a countertop container or a sealed bucket in the garage or porch, then dump them once or twice a week. It’s fine if the pile freezes, decomposition will pick up again when it thaws.
Balance With Browns
Winter composting still needs the right mix of greens (like food scraps) and browns (like dried leaves or shredded paper). The trouble is, greens are usually all that's available in winter. Stockpile dry browns in the fall to use through the colder months. A small pile of dry leaves in a bin or bag can be added handful by handful as needed. This keeps your compost from getting too wet or smelly.
Chop It Smaller
Helping your scraps break down faster is key in colder months, and one way to do that is to cut everything into smaller pieces. Chop vegetable scraps before you toss them in. Break twigs and crush eggshells. Smaller materials have more surface area and are easier for microbes to digest, even in cooler temperatures.
Turn It When You Can
Turning your pile helps add oxygen, which fuels decomposition. In winter, turning isn't always easy, especially if the pile is frozen solid. But when there’s a warm spell or if your pile is insulated enough to stay soft in the center, give it a turn. Even stirring the outer layers can help. Don’t stress if it’s too frozen to move, though. Do what you can and pick up more regular turning in early spring.
Winter composting is less about perfection and more about persistence. Your pile might slow, freeze, or smell a little different, but it's still doing its job. By keeping up with basic care and actively helping your pile, you can compost through the winter without much hassle. Come spring, you’ll be ahead of the game with a pile that’s ready to finish decomposing, giving your garden a head start for the growing season.