Composting is a great option for folks to keep food and green waste out of their local waste streams. According to the NC Composting Council, Approximately 60% of the material in landfills is compostable organic matter, such as food scraps and yard waste. So, not only is it taking up valuable space in landfills, those nutrients are not being made available to your plants. Starting a compost pile or keeping a compost pile in the winter months are slow prospects, but still worth doing! As the temperatures drop, your compost pile is less active, but with the right practices, you can ensure it remains viable and continues to break down materials throughout the colder months.
Compost Piles in the Winter
Winter maintenance is similar to maintenance other times of year, just being mindful that the cooler temperatures are going to slow down the microbes, depending on the size of the pile. The larger the pile, the warmer it can get. The smaller the pile the more likely it can stop completely and/or freeze. While true “hot composting” (reaching temperatures high enough to kill weed seeds and pathogens) is much harder to achieve in winter, you can still maintain activity for effective “cold composting,” where materials break down slowly over several months.
As winter approaches, reduced activity is normal, so consider providing extra insulation using organic materials like a layer of pine needles or leaves to protect the pile and maintain warmth when not turning the pile. Remember, a well-maintained compost pile should not smell. If it does, it indicates an imbalance of ratios and you should add more leaves or “browns”.
For traditional compost piles, maintaining a healthy mix of “greens” or nitrogen-rich materials like kitchen scraps, and “browns” or carbon-rich materials like dried leaves, is still crucial. The recommended ratios are 2:1 to 3:1, “browns” to “greens”.
Preparation and Feeding Strategies
Before the deep cold sets in, aim to reduce the particle size of your materials. Shred or chop your “browns” (leaves, cardboard) and “greens” (larger kitchen scraps) into smaller pieces (ideally 1/2 to 1 inch). This maximizes the surface area, giving the slower-moving microbes more to work with and speeding up decomposition even in the cold.
Manage moisture levels to prevent waterlogging and turn the pile occasionally to incorporate ingredients and promote decomposition. If you notice the pile is drying out or freezing solid, consider adding a small amount of water to maintain a consistency like a wrung-out sponge.
When adding new kitchen scraps, don’t just toss them on top. It’s best to bury them deep into the center of the pile—this is the warmest spot. Dig a small trench or pocket, add the scraps, cover them with existing compost, and then cover with a layer of insulation. This keeps the heat in and deters pests.
Composting Bins in the Winter
Pre-fabricated composting bins can be great to keep composting operations tidy, but they are usually more compact and may be more prone to chilling and freezing. You may consider reducing adding to your compost bins in the winter, if you start noticing that materials are not breaking down. Maintaining appropriate ratios is so critical to healthy compost, so don’t sacrifice this for “getting rid” of kitchen scraps.
Vermicomposting in the Winter
Vermicomposting is utilizing worms to break down food scraps, which is different from worms just happening to be in your compost that is in contact with the ground. Worm bins should be kept in a sheltered area and maintained at a temperature between 59-77 degrees Fahrenheit. Good winter locations for worm bins include a heated garage, a basement, under a workbench in a warm shed, or indoors if you have a suitable space. Daily monitoring is important to ensure the worms have suitable conditions and nutrients throughout the winter. If the temperature gets too cold, the worms will freeze or evacuate!
Composting kitchen scraps is an easy and impactful way to reduce food waste and create a beneficial soil amendment for your home garden, even over the winter! For further guidance and specific recommendations, contrast your local Extension Office.
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Amanda Bratcher is the Horticulture Agent for NC Cooperative Extension- Lee County Center.
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