Compost Insulation

[simhop]

Due to the extreme winters here it looks like my compost is going to take 2 years to rot down to a useable substance.

I have lots of bubble wrap left over from moving house and thought it could be good idea to fix it to the insides of the pile. I have a home made container made of wood so it would be easy to staple the plastic on the inside.

It would obviously be excellent insulation but I wasn't sure how much air a heap needs. Should I make some holes in the bubble wrap?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Regards
Simon

[simhop]

[wardy]

Hi!  The HDRA book covers compost and bins in detail and shows all sorts of homemade ones where there is a box within a box if you know what I mean.  They stuff straw or insultation material between the two to increase the heat, and of course put a lid on as well.  I use the small  plastic 330 litre compost bins obtained for a fiver via the council.  These heat up very quickly in summer and stuff starts rotting in no time.  I've just got a 660 litre one and I'm going to compare the difference.  Also it depends on how big your compost heap is.  I went on an organic gardening course and was told that small is beautiful in terms of composting  :)  It wouldn't hurt to insulate your bin.  Most of the bought bins do have small holes in.   

[simhop]

My bin is roughly 1m x 1m x 1m so holds quite alot - I know it works because it sinks down from time to time. It's just very slow.

[Moggle]

It might help to get some grass clippings or manure mixed in once the weather warms up, something to help activate it. A good mixing up is supposed to help as well.

Moggle - not an expert and happy to be corrected if the above is wrong  :)

[simhop]

As soon as it's defrosted in the middle I will give it a mix and turn as suggested Moggle. Will try and get my hands on some manure as well.

Cheers

[Mrs Ava]

Yay for hot manure, then I bung a piece of carpet over it to keep it cosy - the only place I use carpet Heritage  ;).