Winter Composting
A hot compost pile is useful for composting food and yard wastes, for killing soil diseases and weed seeds, for producing compost in a short period of time and reducing unwanted visitors. Here are step-by-step instructions:
- Gather all material needed to make a pile that is at least 1 cubic metre (3 cubic feet) in diameter. Use equal volumes of both green (nitrogen-based) and brown (carbon-based) materials.
- Run materials through a shredder or chop them in a garbage can with a "weed trimmer" to increase the surface area. Leaves may be shredded with a lawnmower to break them down.
- Start building the pile with a 10- to 15-centimetre (4- to 6-inch) base of coarse material such as small branches or flower stalks. This bottom layer increases airflow in the pile.
- Next, add a 10- to 15-cm (4- to 6-in) layer of brown (carbon-rich) materials such as dry leaves or straw.
- On top of this add a 10- to 15-cm (4- to 6-in) layer of green (nitrogen-rich) materials. Kitchen waste is an excellent source of nitrogen (avoid meat, dairy products, fats and oil).
- Place a 2.5-cm (1-in) layer of soil or finished compost on top of green layer.
- Alternate and mix layers of green and brown materials and thin layers of soil until the pile is 1 m (3 to 4 ft) high. Add water if necessary (keep damp as a well wrung sponge).
- Close the bin or cover the pile and wait one week until the pile is warm to the touch or steaming. When the pile begins to cool, turn.
- Approximately one week later, the temperature should peak. At this point, turn the pile again. After another week, the compost should be finished.
Adapted from materials produced by the Seattle Tilth Association, the Seattle Solid Waste Utility and the Recycling Council of Ontario.