Frozen Compost

[Anne Welsh]

Looking for tips about what to do when your compost is frozen! I keep piling things on the top but then I give up because it doesn't look like it's working.

I'm thinking maybe I'm not doing it right in the first place, it's suppose to create its own heat right? I have a bin made from 4 old picket fences, each side about 3' long. In the warm months it seems to work great.

 

[Owdboggy]

I would suggest covering it with something like and old carpet or polythene or something. It certainly is not going to work when it is frozen and it needs to work to generate the heat. I would not worry too much, my heap is just sitting there, doing very little at the moment, it is just too cold. Give it a few weeks and once the sun begins to shine (if ever) it will begin again.

 

[atlmom5]

I agree with @Owdboggy. You should cover it with something to keep in some heat.

 

[Durgan]

Impossible to keep warm in your Zone 5. Leave it until warm weather appears. I have the same situation.

 

[IcyBC]

Michigan is the same way, too cold and too misery to do any of that outside. Spring should come soon, and you can start your work again by just stirring them up a bit. Hang in there

 

[remnant]

Pour hot water on the compost. Then immediately cover it with a thick insulator like an old blanket. The microorganisms responsible for decomposition will be activated and generate more heat for decomposition to continue. This should be done once in a while until conditions improve. Make sure the water is not too hot.