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Can I start a compost bin now?
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Posted by
civicminded 5 (
My Page) on
Tue, Nov 1, 11 at 22:07
| I live in zone 5 and winter is almost here, I have 5 compost bins and I have 2 of them full. I wanted to add leaves and grass clipings and garden remnants to the rest of the bins, but I was wondering if it matters if I do it now vs waiting until spring.
I know that in the dead of winter the compost will not decompose much, but will it hurt?
The bin that I started is about 60 degrees during the day and Its been going about a month and I have noticed some breakdown of the contents. Its getting to 30 degrees here at night now so its really slowing down. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Can I start a compost bin now?
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| I would start now since the freez and thaw also breaks down the material without any negative effect (in my opinion). It makes it then easier when you have to churn the material in the bin. |
RE: Can I start a compost bin now?
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| I have three compost bins and my most active one has temperatures around 145. I'm not sure why your temp seems so low now. A good mix compost should still be able to generate significant heat even in November. How big are your containers and are they protected in any way to retain some of the heat? My bins are 4 x 4 x 5 feet and I expect the most active one will maintain temps over a hundred until well into Decemeber. Make sure you add enough greens with all those (shredded?) leaves. |
RE: Can I start a compost bin now?
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| Yes, you can, and should, build compost piles all year. |
RE: Can I start a compost bin now?
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| The internal temperature of your compost is dependant on the activity of the thermophylic bacteria and they need about the right mixture of materials, about 1 part nitrogen to 30 parts carbon with just enough moisture, to actively digest that material. The temperature of the atmosphere has little to do with that activity. My compost piles have been quite active in February even after a very cold December and January when I have gotten the mix just right. |
RE: Can I start a compost bin now?
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| And even if they are not warm all winter, what you don't see is that when it's above freezing the microbes will actually work. Slowly, but they are on the job whenever the temperature permits. More is happening in the winter than meets the eye, even in a cold pile. |
RE: Can I start a compost bin now?
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| annpat, totally agree! Winter is often the time to start a new pile since the "other one/s" won't shrink as fast and might get full. |
RE: Can I start a compost bin now?
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| You might be able to get it hot again by adding more nitrogen & a cover. What is unfinished in spring can be used to start another compost pile. Or you could cover your vacant beds with it at least 6" thick. |
RE: Can I start a compost bin now?
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| What annpat said. Plus compost does not HAVE to heat up. Mine almost never does and I don't turn it except to put it into the next bin once or twice a year. But it rots all the same. Composting can be as simple or as complicated as you choose to make it. The only thing that really matters is that you do it. |
RE: Can I start a compost bin now?
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| Anytime is good time for compost! That's why I love it so much because while there are "rules", they are still just "rules" and not RULES, if you know what I mean? |
RE: Can I start a compost bin now?
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| Stupid question, but I am new to composting (as of yesterday when I got my very first tumbler style composter!) and am wondering: How do you measure the temperature of your compost? Special way to do this, or a thermometer on a string? ;) |
RE: Can I start a compost bin now?
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Hi shooflypets,
There are no "stupid" questions, we all have questions and we all have answers, hopefully, if we converse with one another, we will grow closer, by meeting each others needs. Now...onto your "not so stupid" question.... I think most landscape/gardening stores have "compost thermometers" ,they are about a foot long, and around 20.00
I have a very large pile so I made my own 4' long thermometer.
You just purchase a Digital Bar-B-Que meat thermometer (around 10.00), and use Heat-Shrink to secure it to a large piece of Rigid wire...VIOLA 
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