Cold composting, sometimes called
passive composting does work. It takes a little longer than hot composting, but
if your compost bin or compost pile is full, cold composting is another way to
recycle garden waste and table scraps. The same concepts apply, using a 3:1
ratio of browns to greens. Browns include leaves, shredded cardboard and
newspaper. Greens include table scraps, grass clippings, coffee grounds and eggshells.
Avoid adding meat or dairy, diseased
plants or weed seeds (it won’t get hot enough to get rid of the seeds).
Worms are
an important part of cold composting, just as they are for warm (active)
composting, so add some to your raw compost. Worms are available for purchase.
Yes, they will survive the winter. They will slow down just as the
microorganisms slow down because of the cold temperatures and your compost will
turn more slowly, but it will still work through the winter.
Organic nitrogen
is also important and can be mixed into your compost ingredients. Organic
nitrogen won’t harm any worms in your compost.
You can start with a pile of
compost materials in the corner of your garden, layer your ingredients
together, water the pile and cover it.
Another method is to dig a trench alongside
the garden bed and shovel your scraps into the trench and cover lightly with
garden soil. Expect cold composting to
take longer that “hot” composting. The temperatures aren’t there to accelerate the
process of breaking down the raw materials. Composting doesn’t have to be
complicated.
The main thing is to get started turning your scraps into compost
instead of trash. As always, if you have questions stop in and see us. We can help
you!
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