Build a compost heap this Winter!
There is a whole world of gardening outside of sowing seeds and planting seedlings. As the plants take a break in the winter months, get started on your very own compost heap this winter.
This is one of the easiest project you can start in your garden. It uses all pruning cuttings, clippings and even organic kitchen waste. The microbes that are responsible for breaking down the organic material into compost slow down their work through the colder months.
Our friends at Life is a Garden have helped us put together a guide for the best way to start a compost heap in your garden this winter.
Heat it up
Add in leaves, twigs and layer in some cardboard boxes. Boxes are an excellent addition as they act as a "jersey" and add insulation into the compost heap. Be sure to remove any tape or labels from the boxes (these are not usually decomposable items and will prevent sections of the boxes from breaking down with the compost).
Water it
Like seedlings and all things garden related, the compost heap requires moisture to assist the microbes in breaking down the organic content. Be sure to keep the pile damp, but not wet or soaking. An overly wet compost heap will prevent air flow and create a soggy mess that is not inducive to breaking down organic material. The good microbes that are responsible for breaking down the organic content requires oxygen to work. Taking away this oxygen with water leaves space for the bad microbes to create a smelly mess that does nothing. It may be good to invest in a tarp or wooden that can help keep the pile drier during the wetter months. This covering can also help with warmth for the breakdown of the organic materials.
Keep it balanced
The ideal composition of a compost heap contains equal amounts of Nitrogen (N) and Carbon (C). To balance this, you want to add equal parts of green plant (N) matter and brown plant matter (C). If you find an unbalanced amount of green to brown, store some of the brown plant matter in black bags and under cover to add sparingly to your pile. The brown plant matter will be useful during the warmer months when these are not as abundantly available in the garden.
What to add
Compost heaps are beneficial to reduce waste and serve as an ongoing nutritious treat for your garden! Organic kitchen cut offs are a great addition to the compost heap. A diverse addition to the heap will result in diverse microbes, making it easier to break down the organic content resulting in better quality compost. Garden clippings and wooden stems that can be broken up into small pieces can also be added to the pile. Chop up the larger sticks and woody items or invest in a garden shredder or clipper to assist in breaking the larger pieces into bite size pieces for the microbes. It may be good to add compost from the garden center as well to increase microbes and keep the pile warmer through the winter.
What not to add
With the lower temperatures of winter, microbes digest slower. It is then best not to include more difficulty digestible items like seeded weeds, too much brown plant matter and thick or hard plant matter. Tea leaves and coffee grounds work great in a compost heap, just be sure to remove the tea from the bag which often contain microplastics before adding it to the heap.
