Outside Insulators
While your pile is cooking inside, you can boost its external temperature, too.
Solar power. Where winter is long and frigid, site your compost pile in full sun.
Snowbound. A long-lasting blanket of snow insulates compost from deep freezes, but it can inhibit thawing. Leave it on piles to which you are not adding new material; scrape it off when you put on a fresh layer.
Tarp trap. Covering your pile with a canvas or plastic tarp prevents heat and moisture loss more effectively than a layer of snow. Just remember to add water to the pile regularly when you've shielded it from natural sources.
Bale out. Pack straw bales around your bin or pile for another layer of protection from wind and cold.
In the pits. Dig a trench and fill it with compost ingredients to use the ground's stored heat as an insulating buffer.
Homemade Insulated Composter
1. Using a sharp utility knife, cut the bottom out of a plastic trash can.
2. Poke or drill holes around the sides of the can, 6 to 12 inches from the top, for ventilation.
3. Dig a 1-foot hole and sink the can into it.
4. Insulate the aboveground part of the can with straw bales, packing dried leaves into the gaps.
5. Put a few scoops of soil or compost in the bottom, and layer brown and green ingredients as they become available. Keep the lid tightly closed between additions.
Turn kitchen scraps into super-fertile soil! Learn more.
New for your e-reader or tablet: Compostology 1-2-3.
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