Tips For Winter Composting
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 พ.ย. 2022
- Composting In The Winter Can Be Tricky! As the temperature drops, so too does the efficiency and speed of our compost piles. In extreme winters, your compost pile can actually freeze solid, and stop completely.
Of course, this is just fine because when the spring thaw happens, the compost resumes breaking down as microbial activity comes back to life.
But what if we wanted to keep our piles humming along all winter? Is there anything we can do to mitigate the harsh realities of the cold? Well, yes there is. Today, I got 6 things you can do to prepare your compost for winter so that even if the rest of your garden has gone completely dormant, your piles can keep working, doing there thing!
Hey, for those that don't know, the website is now live! Check it out here, there's going to be some exciting new things happening!: theripetomatof...
2022 is the Year of the Garden! We deserve it after the last little while, and growing our own food and self sufficiency is just the reward we need to get back on track!
For more information on all your gardening questions, check out my other videos!:
Growing Container Garlic: • Growing Garlic In Cont...
Planting Strawberries: • Planting Strawberries ...
How To Grow Potatoes - The Definitive Guide: • How To Grow Potatoes -...
Harvesting Garlic: • Harvesting Your Garlic...
Fertilizing Peppers: • Fertilizing Your Peppe...
DIY Safe and Natural Aphid Spray: • DIY Natural Aphid And ...
Garlic Spacing Experiment: • Garlic Spacing Experiment
How To Grow Strawberries!: • How To Grow Strawberri...
Fertilizing Strawberries: • Fertilizing Strawberry...
How To Grow Garlic: • How To Grow Garlic - T...
Baking Soda Aphid and Insect Spray: • Baking Soda Pesticide ...
6 Benefits Of Hydrogen Peroxide!: • 6 Benefits Of Hydrogen...
Pruning Pepper Plants Experiment!: • Don't Prune Your Peppers!
Direct Seeding vs Starter Plant: • Direct Seeding Vs Star...
100% Germination?: • Seed Germination - 5 R...
Seed Starting Soil: • How To Make Your Own S...
Seed Starting 101, The Basics!: • How To Start Vegetable...
Starting Tomato Seeds: • How To Grow Tomatoes P...
Starting Pepper Seeds: • Growing Peppers Part 1...
Starting Cucumber Seeds: • Video
Starting Zucchini Seeds: • Growing Zucchini Part ...
Starting Corn Seeds: • Growing Corn - Part 1 ...
Starting Pumpkin Seeds: • How To Grow Pumpkins -...
DIY Ultimate Potting Mix: • Make Your Own Potting ...
If you're just starting out gardening in 2022, please check out my Amazon Affiliate links below to get the right tools for the job! It doesn't cost you a cent, but this channel receives a small incentive for any items purchase through Amazon. Happy Gardening!
pH/Water/Light Meter
Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3yafmrV
Amazon USA: amzn.to/3OKRW30
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3nvEIM4
Composting Tumbler!
Amazon Canada: amzn.to/39CgtYw
Amazon USA: amzn.to/39Dha49
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3yLsKVf
Handy 12-piece Garden Tool Set!:
Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3jsNIyk
Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YZhFwx
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3qapNql
Hand Pruners:
Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2YSIFxP
Amazon USA: amzn.to/3q3Oftq
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2YR3Xf8
Watering Can:
Amazon Canada: amzn.to/39U4nIc
Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YR3p94
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3oX7hAa
Spray Gun:
Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3aBxijm
Amazon USA: amzn.to/3aL7UHS
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3ruol1Z
Gardening Gloves:
Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2Lt6ZDx
Amazon USA: amzn.to/3tzJ32t
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3jpf1cU
#compost #composting #permaculture
If you're just starting out gardening in 2022, please check out my Amazon Affiliate links below to get the right tools for the job! It doesn't cost you a cent, but this channel receives a small incentive for any items purchase through Amazon. Happy Gardening!
pH/Water/Light Meter
Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3yafmrV
Amazon USA: amzn.to/3OKRW30
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3nvEIM4
Composting Tumbler!
Amazon Canada: amzn.to/39CgtYw
Amazon USA: amzn.to/39Dha49
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3yLsKVf
Handy 12-piece Garden Tool Set!:
Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3jsNIyk
Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YZhFwx
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3qapNql
Hand Pruners:
Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2YSIFxP
Amazon USA: amzn.to/3q3Oftq
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2YR3Xf8
Watering Can:
Amazon Canada: amzn.to/39U4nIc
Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YR3p94
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3oX7hAa
Spray Gun:
Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3aBxijm
Amazon USA: amzn.to/3aL7UHS
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3ruol1Z
Gardening Gloves:
Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2Lt6ZDx
Amazon USA: amzn.to/3tzJ32t
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3jpf1cU
I started last year but I’ll keep your links when I have other needs because I’m learning a lot from your channel.
Bitter cold weather here (Black Hills, 4000') for a stretch, and the pile froze. But then we had a long warm stretch, so I scraped off the top, thawed layer, and exposed the frozen beneath. Cut into that a spread it out. A day later, when that had thawed, I did it again to the next frozen layer. So now it's been turned and fully thawed. Gonna insulate it with a deep layer of pine forest duff. As I add kitchen scraps, I pull back the duff, dump the scraps, then re-cover it. Also, a few layers of cardboard over the top helps to insulate.
Thanks Jeff. Even with all of the elements you mentioned, my piles will definitely freeze here at 5900 ft.. But I leave a bay open , add leaves to the stream of kitchen scraps and await the brown " gold" in spring from the other bays. Thank for the encouraging videos.
Right on Leslie! Really cold winters same here. I'll let the piles freeze and just know that if I layer them properly, they'll spring to action once next year's thaw happens. Cheers! :-)
Spot on,as usual! If I keep watching, maybe I’ll grow a green thumb!
Haha you're on your way Jim, I can tell! :-)
I'm gunna start my first compost pile today
Right on, best of luck!
I just finally got enough material to make a decent compost. Drought, cold (less than 10°C until June) spring, and multiple plants just doing not much of anything. Leaves finally starting to fall, I gave up on most of the plants, cut them down, made these into compost instead. I got maybe a handful of ripe tomatoes, no peppers even though they were started in February.
Next year.
Sorry to hear about the crop troubles, but kudos for making lemonade out of lemons. That's the beauty of compost.....nothing ever goes to waste! 🙂
Very good video, I needed this 🙂
I love the no turning idea, it fits like a glove to my no-till gardening style 😇
This winter I'm composting bokashi together with horse manure directly in the garden beds, hopefully the soil under will stay frost free and give me a head start in the spring 🙏
Spot on Ole! I am still experimenting, but I've found in the summer I don't even turn the compost either. Layer it in, lasagna style, and just rotate to each of the 3 compartments...never turning the piles! Cheers! :-)
Ole are you putting fresh horse manure in the beds? How long do you leave it until planting and how much thickness? I was thinking of doing this with added leaves and straw.
@@suzannedavis4338 Over winter until spring.
If you have cold climate with snow or rain you can insulate the bed with straw or leaves etc and put a tarp over so it doesn't become soggy wet.
I enjoy all your videos thank you for your consistent upload schedule and your hospitality.
Thanks Forest, appreciate the support!
As always Jeff great info for new and old gardeners 👍👍. Hope everyone and everything is ok after the horrific storm ⛈. Thank you for sharing 🐝 safe
Thanks Ali!! Yeah, we escaped most of the storm....just a few lights flickered and that's it! Enjoy the Sunday. :-)
I'm trying the aluminum can tea this year. I got a bunch of them last year after learning about Faraday cages for electronics in EMP. Used them for chicken feed. then two separate litters of hens were lost and now two of the cans are filled with weed/garden mess greens, the usual recommended food scraps covered with water stick nearby for a weekly stir. Flngers crossed!
Awesome!!! Works for weeds as well as seaweed! The most amazing teas/fertilizers!!
I don't have trees on my small patch, but collecting the neighbor's big brown yard waste bags full of leaves and grass clippings keeps my compost pile growing 👍
Ha ha perfect Lantz! :-)
Thanks Jeff. Always valuable info coming from you! 🇨🇦love your channel!
Thanks so much for watching Lori! :-)
On the Prairies I can remember one time composting until New Year's. We didn't get any snow until Christmas Eve and the temps didn't drop to -35 at all. I think it was about 25 years ago. One thing about keeping the moisture levels up is that the critters are not going to make a home in your system.
I am okay with my piles freezing solid in fact I embrace it. That freeze thaw cycle works wonders on those fibrous materials.
If there is a concern about "layering" your piles, just start putting the browns in the same bucket as the greens. I have a bunch of old 5 gal. pails and I make sure to fill a few with leaves or Scot's Pine needles. I just throw a couple handfuls of leaves every time I put greens in the pail to go out to the system.
Excellent insight Kris. Definitely nothing wrong with letting the piles freeze! 🙂
Thank you. Great advise that will help me be ready for spring.
Cheers! Thanks so much for watching.
Thank you for your clear information. I learned more than I already knew about precious compost. 👌🏽☕️❣️
Thanks Chacha, appreciate that! Enjoy your Sunday. 🙂
Thanks Jeff! All great info! Interesting thought about NOT turning the compost in winter. Makes total sense!! Cold and even a bit of snow has hit here in Eastern Washington State, but I think I have gotten a good start on a second compost pile, so far. I still need to add a bunch of leaves, but not many have fallen yet. Have a wonderful day!
Thanks Eileen! I know, its such a weird concept with the no-turning...but its just for those really cold few months in winter. Cheers!
Thanks again Jeff. I have a tumbler composter bin, so will add the leaves etc and not turn it as often. It is also not in the best position regarding getting warm. Will cover the bin with some garden fleece when winter strikes. Love your videos. Maggie
Right on Maggie, best of luck! Keep us updated, I need to do a bigger dive into the world of tumblers, indoor/patio composters, and worm farming. Always like to see them in action!
I also have a tumbler composter and would love Jeff's advice on them.
@@tennesseenana4838 I'm going to cover the bin with garden fleece as our winters in the UK can be harsh, also I wont turn it as often. Today I added some autumn leaves so have to wait and see how the compost works out.
Jeff thanks for all the well done videos. It's been a bit but I have been so busy harvesting and preserving I haven't had time to say thank you.
Happy belated Thanksgiving
Thanks Kittie! What was the best harvest for you this year?
Because I live in Snotland USA, I can't have one of those nice big compost piles--considered too unsightly for the neighbors; so I'm stuck using a tumbler. My tumbler usually just freezes up in the winter, but without all the garden waste, and only adding kitchen scraps, I usually have enough room for the additions. I'd love to hear suggestions on using a tumbler. I just have a fairly cheap one that isn't insulated.
Yeah, for those little tumblers it's so hard to keep them from freezing. Sheltered using a structure works best... South side of possible
I compost in large grow bags during the winter. I keep them right behind my house so I can easily add scraps. It has been a game changer. I use plastic tubs/tarps to cover the bags to help with heat retention.
@@kimber-leighdomiano901 That's a great idea! I might invest in a 20 gallon one for that.
Same problem here. If I had room I would move mine to the heated garage.
Hi Jeff, as always, a great video with lots of advice. Thanks for sharing and take care 🙂
Thanks Christine, appreciate you taking the time to watch! 🙂
I'm always learning something from you, , thank you!
Thanks Carmella... Appreciate you taking the time and stopping by!
This a very helpful video ! Thx!
Wonderful 🤗
Indeed HåPpŸ SoiL, HÅPPŸ PLAN🌱✨🙏🏼🥳 9:03
100%..it's the key for everything!
All those wasted pumpkin seeds on the compost pile hurt my heart just a little.
Two kids and 8 pumpkins total.....we were seeded out man....too much!
I live in the interior of Alaska
Composting is incredibly slow.
I can imagine!
Jeff, I appreciate your time. I'm having trouble with ants in the compost pile, any suggestions?
Beautiful trees there!
Thanks Naomi! What are the ants doing that you don't like? I get them from time to time, but they rarely present a problem
Should I pour warm water on my compost pile when it starts to dry out in the winter? I thought it might be a good way to add some heat
Hi another question I have a pile of fresh horse manure with a little bedding straw, I made it 4 weeks ago, the temperature was really high 160 but has now dropped to 60, it’s quite wet also we had a lot of rain. I was thinking to add leaves, do I need to mix this in by turning one last time before winter here
I would definitely get some brown leaves into there and turn it once. I think it'll really benefit Suzanne. :-)
Question…I live in south central Texas (8b). We generally have 1-2 hard freezes. Should I still turn the pile or leave it? We also have a lot of live oaks so very little leaf drop. Can I add clean shavings that I add to the animal beds?
Hey Karen, with only 1 or 2 hard freezes and no extended winter, I wouldn't be too worried about it. Leave the pile for that cold month or so, but once you warm back up, go back to the status quo. Shavings work great, but they are a wood source....so beware of nitrogen lock up while they decompose. 🙂
When it starts getting cold, I add warm water for my moisture (as we're dry). Am I insane? [Also, thank you so much for the no-turning tip.] Excellent video.
I don't know if you need to actually add heated water.... Even if you did, the heat wouldn't last more than an hour or so..
Hey Jeff, can I leave my young raspberry and blueberry plants in their fabric bags for winter here on Long island or do I need to get them in the ground, then plant in spring. Time is of the essence I'm sure. Thx Tim
Hey Tim, I leave all mine in grow bags no problem. If you're getting a really cold winter though, group the bags together to create more thermal mass and/or place them near a structure for more exposure protection.
Do you continue to turn pile until freeze up
Hi Jeff, Starbucks gave me two full boxes of coffee grounds in loose trash bags that were in boxes. Total weight is about 50-75 lbs. It's early November here in NE Georgia. How do you suggest I use them in my 60 sq ft of raised beds? Should I spread them on top or mix them into the soil? Should I add it now or wait until next spring? Thanks so much for helping out.
Always on top.... Even, thin layer and you're good to go!
Thank you for responding. I was hesitant. Is an inch of coffee grounds on top too thick?
@@oldporkchops on a dormant bed over winter? Definitely not too thick!
@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Yep. Got it. Will do. I sincerely appreciate your help with my dilemma. Have a wonderful evening.
At 7000ft. Next winter the tumbler goes into heated garage.
Don't blame you Joni!!
What is the ideal temperature in winter?
As long as it stays above freezing, it'll be just fine. :-)
Great tips, thank you!
Just wondering if you have a rule of thumb temperature at which you stop turning your compost? I have one new pile and one where the C:N ratio was low (fixed now) and I’d like to turn them a few times if it isn’t too cold.
Thanks alenardu....for me, once I hit my frost date, I take a vacation from the compost and don't turn it again. :-)
How do you get your peppers to grow that big?
Time, as much sun as possible, and don't over water Gabriel! :-)
@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Thank You!
Why not start putting some In and old drum and burn it, mix in some dead logs and leaves?
You can definitely burn certain materials.... My compost as a whole isn't one of them
@@TheRipeTomatoFarms I understand 👍
just pee on it a few times during cold weather... pee is warm and nitrogen rich, kickstarting the microbes again if the went dormant and it adds moisture.... (I am semi joking.... I mean pee/manure is realy great but not everyone wants to pee on their food's food)
Why not! Pee is definitely garden-approved! :-)
He doesn’t have the power to do that.