This video is a complete guide / tutorial on Winter Composting. I discuss what compost is, why it is difficult to compost in winter, and what we need to do differently to maintain an active pile all Winter Long.
I have come up with four principles to successfully compost in Winter, and will share them with you discussing each in detail. Lastly at the end of the video I will show two piles I made in the Winter of 2021/2022 from start to finish.
Please use the timeline below for quick links;
Intro – 00:00
What is compost – 02:32
Difficulties composting in Winter – 03:46
Four principles of composting in Winter – 05:35
When is a winter compost pile finished? – 10:42
Review of Winter Compost Process – 11:37
Appendix
Step by step of Winter Pile #1 – 13:05
Step by step of Winter Pile #2 – 19:42
For a huge list of materials to compost (printable) click below;
For our article on Winter Composting;
And for a quick reference on what temperatures kill weed seeds, see below;
Tools/affiliate links:
The spade fork I use in the video – https://amzn.to/3TMbMgV
Machete for chopping up pumpkins – https://amzn.to/3eS1kFA
And finally for a solid composting thermometer (better than what I used in the video) – https://amzn.to/3xbvxFt
23 Comments
What about the seeds from pumpkins and gourds?
Great video! I have a three pallet set-up for composting which provides a large volume 4'x4'x4'. I use the same process as you except I use kelp/seaweed as an ingredient. In the end same product; great stuff for the raised beds. I also am Zone 6.
Thx for your informative video.
And yet… I get the feeling if you did just a few things slightly differently to maximize the power of generating heat, you'd have a far better result. So close and yet so far.
I also don't feel that the ambient temperature should have anything to do with successfully doing hot compost. I've never done it at low temperatures including snow conditions, but because I can achieve temperatures of about 190 degrees regularly, I don't think that the ambient temperature or snow should make a difference.
My suggestions…
I applaud you for understanding the necessity and value of creating a pile large enough that it insulates the heat furnace inside the pile from the outside. But, your pile appears to be cone shape because the pile has no sides and is only about 3 feet tall by maybe 4-6' in diameter. Guestimating that the pile has to be 12-18" to insulate, your pile has a "furnace" cone shaped and only about 18" tall by about 18-24" in diameter. You should consider erecting sides from something like pallets, creating a 3' cube pile. You'd find that the "furnace" in the middle would be considerably larger, at least 18", maybe 24" cubed.
I'd also recommend not breaking down your pumpkins so much. When you do that, you do increase the surface for aerobic microbes that decompose the pumpkins, but I'm guessing your pumpkins are providing only a flash of heat and not sustained enough to break down your browns more fully. I'd recommend breaking down your pumpkins only a little bit, enough to get your initial colony of microbes growing, and as they multiply will decompose your pumpkins the rest of the way anyway. If your pumpkins decompose a bit slower, they could provide more sustained fuel for your microbes as they build in number. The alternative would be to add more other "greens" like your coffee grounds, anything that will break down a bit slower but will easily disappear as the heat builds.
I also remember you describing removing branches from your pile. If you can hit the high termperatures I have, you shouldn't have to worry about any branches up to about 2" in diameter, they'll decompose but only in the very high heat approaching the temperature of boiling water.
I remember turning the pile in place like how you're turning your pile. I no longer do that because I can't be guaranteed to get to the very bottom and center of the pile that way. Instead, I recommend moving the pile next to the original location each time you turn the pile to ensure the entire pile is turned. The pile can be moved back and forth each time you turn the pile.
If I ever did a hot compost pile in snow, I don't know whether I would add more greens each time the pile is turned, but of course I don't do that under non-winter conditions… With the proper makeup, the pile will naturally decrease to about half its original size and it's when the pile has stopped creating heat that I know the pile is done and microbes that live at normal ambient temperatures and various flora and fauna start to invade and populate the compost preparing the compost as a plant amendment. If I see earthworms, sow bugs, earwigs and other creatures, then I know that microbes are populating the pile properly and the pile is successful.
Lastly, I didn't notice that you mentioned how many times you turned your pile. In order to maintain sustained high temperatures over several weeks, I turn my pile each week over 90 days. Generally the last 2-3 times the pile is turned, temperatures have dropped to nearly ambient temperature and I'm turning the pile mainly to aerate the entire pile with oxygen and moisture.
Thanks for shearing I made it to the end.
I made it to the end lol. Unfortunately, I live in that -40 temp area. I just built my raised beds last week and threw the leaves from my yard in. Long winter ahead… thanks for the vid. I'm saving it to apply it later!
To the end! Great video, thanks!
so awesome as I am both new to composting in general and the ability to make while nothing is growing in the garden is a win, lol. One quick question, with the coffee grounds is it ok to use the filters as well or should they be separated out? Thank you again, 🙂
Is hot water good to water with?
Starbucks grounds! I grab em too!
Thank you. I will follow your suggestions. I'm in 7a. I recently put poly plastic over my cattle panel arch. First time. I want to see if I can over winter a few plants. I'm going to try this method inside one poly tunnel and see how it goes.
Great video.
My daughter brings me “gifts” from her work. She works for a boba tea cafe. All year I get tea leaves, coffee grounds, and fruit rinds. I hope she never leaves that job! I made it to the end 🎃
Great video! I watched thru to the end. Quick question, does all the used coffee grounds cause the resulting compost pile to have a more acidic ph?
When the pile goes cold in the winter, can you use a heater to restart the composting process?
All the way to the end: twice! Wow. Thank you!
Excellently done. Thanks for sharing this. In NJ, Ive found moderate success by going essentially 50/50. Imo precise measurements are not found in nature, yet good soil is. Ive found oxygen,volume and temp to be the most important. And yes watched the whole thing.
Hi, I made it to the end. I would love to hot compost. My problems are 1. I am relatively small and wonder if I can wield a pitchfork to turn the pile, and 2. I live in a subdivision with no place to hide the pile. I like that you do not cover your piles in winter. Thank you for this excellent and instructive video. 💙💙
I made it to the end. And not only do I think you for the informative video, but also for all the digging! A little too much for me – I'm 75 and not in great shape but I do my best to compost anything. I compost in three large bins about 1 yard each. Mostly leaves and grass clippings but I do add kitchen scraps.
This is an outstanding video! I have been struggling with composting for 2 years here in NC and am excited to try this over the winter. Your details in the video and on your website are fantastic. Love the extensive list of materials to use.
Thank you. We do occasionally get the -40C in central Alberta, so I've found covering the pile with a tarp seems to help keep the pile going longer. This challenges me to keep it going all winter. We are usually snow covered from Oct 31 to Mid March.
To grow leafy greens in a winter hotbed, what would you do so the compost can be turned underneath the soil with the plants? I'm thinking to separate the two layers with wire mesh that holds the soil layer while still allowing the heat from the compost to rise up. Build a side door to access the compost pile, add new material and turn it. I'm in zone 6. Will cover the hotbed with frost cloth. Please share your thoughts thank you!
Great video, thank you! I’m in a warmer climate Than you, but we do still have cold temps in 7b – Texas. I’m going to work on my compost this winter according to your advice. (Made it to the end… twice 😂)
how do you keep the animals away from eating kitchen scraps used in the pile