Winter

[Debby]

So even in the winter compost heats up and will decompose? Also I am adding kitchen scraps daily to the compost. Do I need to stop at some point and make a new pile? I started thinking it might never get finished.

[chuckfranke]

My pile last winter steamed in the morning - I think this is one of those cases where size does indeed matter - a little pile will freeze and a big one will cook all winter.

Due to my compost-induced psychosis I plan to steal leaves from all over Dallas, shred them, mix them with manure and other ingredients and compost all winter so that I have a 6' by 6' finished pile come Spring when it's time to start growing things again.

As to the never finished problem - me too! I solve this by using a second bin so when a batch is nearly done i can stop adding to it and start tossing big pieces into the next batch. If you want hot compost all winter get the leaves from all your neighbors, mulch them and rake them into the pile, then mix in some nitrogen sources - I use a little bioform dry in the winter or Milorganite as a cheat to get some nitrogen.

40-50 large bags of leaves and some cheap nitrogen like cornmeal makes for one huge heap of wonderful compost come spring. I learned here that wetting it all down with molasses in the water speeds the cooking in a big way.

Have fun!

[Debby]

is this the mollasses from the supermarket?

[khwoz]

The grocery store stuff will work but I'd suggest you get it at a feed or garden center. It is much cheaper! You can get liquid or granulated. Use liquid for sprays like Garrett Juice, etc. or granulated to spread in large areas like your lawn, etc. Check this web site for more info.

[chuckfranke]

I buy it by the gallon at Lowes...7-8 bucks I think... mix 2 cups in with a couple gallons of water in the tank sprayer and use it to wet down each layer. Instant heat.