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!
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Growing Container Garlic: https://youtu.be/8vDWcku-xRk
Planting Strawberries: https://youtu.be/r-im8w7VOJQ
How To Grow Potatoes – The Definitive Guide: https://youtu.be/6Fv2yFdV4p8
Harvesting Garlic: https://youtu.be/A9qUN_FSCjg
Fertilizing Peppers: https://youtu.be/LbxevyTIBgo
DIY Safe and Natural Aphid Spray: https://youtu.be/LJTK8jk7g1k
Garlic Spacing Experiment: https://youtu.be/tlXJA7w4JNw
How To Grow Strawberries!: https://youtu.be/T6-s7NomNTY
Fertilizing Strawberries: https://youtu.be/vZdsdcWCdOw
How To Grow Garlic: https://youtu.be/UgbWxSqpqws
Baking Soda Aphid and Insect Spray: https://youtu.be/320D-41xt-M
6 Benefits Of Hydrogen Peroxide!: https://youtu.be/jU4N5PLKX7M
Pruning Pepper Plants Experiment!: https://youtu.be/s6jh_tcMfVw
Direct Seeding vs Starter Plant: https://youtu.be/TQWWtQu-r9U
100% Germination?: https://youtu.be/FqZ8tFrhWv0
Seed Starting Soil: https://youtu.be/OlLHCtHI6JY
Seed Starting 101, The Basics!: https://youtu.be/bRWac1OpxPY
Starting Tomato Seeds: https://youtu.be/qlEp0iDfB-k
Starting Pepper Seeds: https://youtu.be/mNqS1FpPWW8
Starting Cucumber Seeds: https://youtu.be/7aWeBavfubE
Starting Zucchini Seeds: https://youtu.be/LgHKLftASTQ
Starting Corn Seeds: https://youtu.be/2t2A2ZrdZ3k
Starting Pumpkin Seeds: https://youtu.be/kT_WR0e2EjI
DIY Ultimate Potting Mix: https://youtu.be/cP-7_7YT9jk
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!
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#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: https://amzn.to/3yafmrV
Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/3OKRW30
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3nvEIM4
Composting Tumbler!
Amazon Canada: https://amzn.to/39CgtYw
Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/39Dha49
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3yLsKVf
Handy 12-piece Garden Tool Set!:
Amazon Canada: https://amzn.to/3jsNIyk
Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/2YZhFwx
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3qapNql
Hand Pruners:
Amazon Canada: https://amzn.to/2YSIFxP
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Watering Can:
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I enjoy all your videos thank you for your consistent upload schedule and your hospitality.
Thank you. Great advise that will help me be ready for spring.
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.
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.
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
Spot on,as usual! If I keep watching, maybe I’ll grow a green thumb!
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
Why not start putting some In and old drum and burn it, mix in some dead logs and leaves?
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.
I'm always learning something from you, , thank you!
I'm gunna start my first compost pile today
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)
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!
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
Jeff, I appreciate your time. I'm having trouble with ants in the compost pile, any suggestions?
Beautiful trees there!
All those wasted pumpkin seeds on the compost pile hurt my heart just a little.
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!
Your content is great, but the way you present it makes me feel like a little kid. You talk like you are reading a book to a pre k classroom.
Sorry….can’t finish listening