What is passive or cold composting? When and why it can be useful

What is passive or cold composting?

Composting experts have many guidelines for this process. They usually warn that if you don’t do each step correctly, you’ll end up with a moldy, smelly pile of trash. This is not necessarily true.

If you don’t have a composter, don’t despair. You can use cold composting as an easy solution. This type of compost pile does not decompose as quickly as a hot compost pile, but you can reap many benefits over time.

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Passive composting.

A passive compost pile decomposes more slowly at lower temperatures, but the little bacteria and microbes are still doing their job.

The result takes longer than traditional methods, but it is a good way to reuse garden and kitchen waste in winter or during colder seasons.

A passive compost pile allows you to use garden and kitchen waste as it is produced. As it is continuously added to the pile, the composting material is not heated as in a traditional system.

A supplemental compost pile needs the right ratio of greens and browns (nitrogen and carbon) to function, but it doesn’t even require layers to form.

You just need to make sure you have plenty of browns to offset the wet greens and prevent the pile from getting too wet.

The process can take 3 to 6 months, much longer than a hot composting system.

How to make a cold compost heap.

Cold composting is beautiful in its simplicity.

The passive compost heap can take the form of garden ditches, turners, bins or simply heaps in the ground.

The system chosen will dictate whether kitchen scraps are added. Open systems attract rodents and birds, so it’s best to use yard waste.

Since they don’t get very hot, avoid weed seeds, which won’t compost properly.

Build the pile as material becomes available, taking care to properly balance nitrogen and carbon.

There are few hard and fast rules for maintaining a cold composting system. To speed it up and avoid dry and wet places, turn the compost frequently.

As with any compost heap, keep it moderately moist but not soggy.

Added items will break down faster if cut into small pieces.

However, if there are whole items, like an apple, don’t worry. It will break down but it will take longer than the apple pieces.

Keep a layer of brown material on top of the pile to prevent flies from laying eggs.

That’s all. It’s a simple and convenient way to dispose of garden and kitchen waste.

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