Thursday, February 6, 2014

It’s Never Too Cold to Compost

It’s been quite a winter around here. I think I can speak for everyone when I say, “Bring on spring!”

Since that darn groundhog saw his shadow leaving us with six more weeks of winter, we all need a little motivation to keep composting. As a passionate composter, I believe it’s never too cold to compost.


I asked some of my coworkers who are fellow composters how they stay motivated to take out the food scraps and tend to the compost piles in the winter time.

Here are the top ten thoughts and tips on composting in the cold:

{drum roll, please!}

10. Your dog has to go out there, share a moment with him.

9. Freeze and thaw helps break down the compost.

8. Gives me a good reason to check out the grounds of our property, inspect the gutters, and find animal tracks in the snow.

7. If you pick up leaves that you missed when cleaning up the yard, there may also be snow and ice with the leaves. The moisture is an added benefit, like a composting kit.

6. It keeps the neighbors guessing about what you’re doing out there!

5. The joy of walking in the fresh snow helps with the winter blahs. It’s invigorating to get out of the house and get some exercise.

4. Snow on the bin or added to the bin will jump start the pile in the spring.

3. If there is fresh snow, you can walk all over the yard so your wife, (husband or significant other) will think you have been busy.

2. My pile is all leaves right now. I don’t want to miss out on those kitchen scraps needed to help keep my compost balanced.

1. I can’t spend all winter in the garage.

So don’t be afraid to get out there in the cold and tend to your compost pile. Once you’re finished, come inside, plop down in the recliner, and enjoy a hot cocoa or steaming cup of tea. After all your hard work out in the cold, you deserve a break!

2 comments:

  1. Michelle, I love this post!! Top Ten list is great. I have really enjoyed composting all winter. Our bin, which I move closer to the house this time of year also sits near the bird feeder so I feed both when I venture out into the cold.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a really good idea, Robyn. And a good reminder that I need to refill my bird feeder for those poor freezing birds.

      Delete