Composting in winter

Keep going, mixing well and keeping it warm, says Ruth Hayes

- Ruth Hayes

OUR compost heap has worked well this summer and provided us with many bags of rich, crumbly goodness to be spread on the beds this autumn.

Although composting slows down in winter when the temperature drops, keep building your heap or filling your dalek bin. It is worth covering your heap with old carpet in winter to keep in its heat, removing it every so often to let in rain to dampen the mix. If you have a lidded bin, uncover it occasionally for the same reason.

The main additions at this time of year will be prunings, cut back perennials, weeds, and grass clippings. Make sure anything woody is chopped up finely or shredded beforehand and when adding grass clippings to the mix, fork them in with the rest of the ingredients so they don’t sit in a big clump and become a soggy, slimy mess.

Take care when forking over the compost in winter as garden wildlife may be hibernating within its warmth.