Winter composting

Credit: Flickr / elecnix

Q: Should I be composting during the winter months?

During winter months, when temperatures drop, it seems like our compost bins have hit Mother Nature’s red light. The steamy mist is no longer visible, the pile is not getting smaller.

In the cold season, you can aid your compost by breaking down the material into smaller pieces, so that it compacts better and breaks down sooner come spring. Alternating layers of twigs will help to aerate it, and it’s best to regularly turn the pile. The addition of molasses, blood meal, chicken manure and glacial rock dust sprinkled between layers of organic matter is believed to support microorganisms and bacteria, as well as aid in a faster process and increase the available nutrients.