Composting in the cold season is not only possible for both beginners and experienced gardeners, but it is also important to maximize your garden’s harvest.
When you begin composting in the winter, you’ll notice an increase in both the volume and quality of the plants, herbs, and vegetables that you grow the following season.
This is how you can be able to provide nutrient-rich ground to your garden when it is time to plant in the cold season. In this article, we have selected the best compost bins for cold climates that you can select from.
Best Compost Bins For Cold Climates
In a rush? Our Top Picks:
1) Exaco AeroQuick Large Compost bin
The walls of the Exaco Juwel are 5mm thick, which is somewhat thicker than the regular 2mm thickness.
To enhance airflow, the thick interiors are combined with a one-of-a-kind effective aeration system.
Increased airflow promotes more microbial activity, which generates more heat to maintain the compost secure even in cold weather.
The compost bin has a bigger capacity of 187 gallons, making it one of the biggest compost bins on the marketplace.
The large capacity implies you won’t finish out of space in the bin, but it also adds an additional layer of colder climates preservation.
Pros
- Produced with recycled plastic
- Huge capacity
- Extra thick walls
- Active aeration system for additional airflow.
Cons
- The insulation is not much.
2) Exaco Aerobin 400 Insulated Compost bin
This 113-gallon sustained composter has double-walled insulation to keep you warm in cold weather.
To compensate for the inability to turn the compost, Exaco has created a ‘lung’ that moves air directly into the center position of the compost, ensuring that it is well aerated.
In addition to the double-layered outer side, the composter’s bottom is also double-layered. The advantages are threefold.
The composter is raised off the ground to keep heat from escaping through the bottom and rodents from entering. In addition, the bottom can be used to obtain leachate for use as a nitrogen fertilizer.
Pros
- Insulated
- Leachate-base collection
- It aerate itself.
Cons
- Very tall
3) Urban Worm Bag Worm Composting Bin
In cold climates, vermicomposting is an excellent option for composting.
The worm bin can be kept indoors, making it resistant to the elements. While trying to keep a bin with plenty of worms inside may sound disgusting, as long as you really do not overfeed the worms, the bin will not smell or cause harmful effects.
My preferred worm composting device is the urban worm bag mostly because the flow-through feature makes harvesting the compost an effortless.
You did not have to worry about assembling and unstacking containers like you would with other worm bins in the market.
The bag also has an uniquely designed breathable substance, which excludes necessity aeration holes while still providing superior aeration.
Because of this breathable equipment, worm leachate will not accumulate, potentially becoming a cause of excessive leaks.
Pros
- It can be kept inside securely
- The compost is easy to harvest
- The moisture is easy to control.
Cons
- User need to purchase worms.
4) All Seasons Indoor Compost Bin
The name gives it away: you can use this composter all year round, even in the cold season.
Bokashi is a special type of composting that can also be made indoors, so it doesn’t make much difference how windy cold it gets, just like vermicomposting.
Composting is a common term for what is basically a fermentation process. After two weeks of soaking the food scraps in a bucket with some highly specialised anaerobic microbes, you get what is known as bokashi pre-compost for use.
The pre-compost must then be buried for another 2-4 weeks before it can be used as a soil amendment.
This step will take a little longer in the winter, but it is still easily achievable.
Alternatively, you can retain the pre-compost in an insulated container until the springtime.
Pros
- Good system
- No smells or pests
- It’s quick
- Can be used indoors
Cons
- Need to change the pre-compost to make it easy to use.
Best Compost Bins For Cold Climates: Buying Guide
The following are some of the things to consider before buying a cold climates compost bin.
The Material
Many commercially produced composters are manufactured of dark-colored recycled material, which is excellent for absorbing solar heat and trying to prevent moisture loss.
Because heat and moisture are both required for composting, this basic design aids in the process of decomposition.
The Shape
In certain cases, the type of composter you decided to purchase will depend on the shape of the bin, but consider the fact that a round container does not have cold angles.
These sections can be difficult to access with a pitchfork or other compacting tool and decompose with gradual process.
Square bins, on the other hand, look really good when considered alongside garden fences and fit perfectly in lot corners.
The Ventilation
A composter should have numerous slits and openings throughout the container to allow for proper air circulation.
Most of the other microorganisms responsible for organic matter breakdown require oxygen.
Without good ventilation, your pile will gradually decompose, resulting in a slippery, stinky mess.
The Size
If you have a large garden with a lot of organic waste, a small bin will most likely not suffice.
Larger bins, on the other hand, can be more difficult to keep clean. They’re more difficult to turn and necessitate more effort to keep the pile “home cooking” properly.
Smaller waste bins, on the other hand, can be hard to get right. They dry out larger size bins and are more affected by external temperatures.
Your Job Type
You can choose among the most basic types if you really do not mind doing some heavy lifting with a pitchfork every now and then.
Otherwise, a compost tumbler with a grip for turning the substance may be a better option.
Conclusion
There are actually quite a few options compost bins for cold weather composting.
You can also use a standard compost bin with extra insulation, or you can branch out and try something new, such as worm composting or bokashi.
With these guide and selections, you can be able to get the right compost bins for cold climates.
