Cool Composting

The cool composting method is for people that do not have enough material for the hot composting method (3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet), or for people that have a large enough space to allow materials to accumulate for 1 to 2 years. This method is also good for people that want to put minimal effort into managing their compost pile.

The cool composting method is not as intensive as hot composting because it does not require the pile to be turned. With the pile not being turned, it can take any where from 6 months to a year or more until the compost will be ready for use from this method.

Compost Ratio

The cool composting method uses the same ratio of two parts brown to one part green materials, but it does not require you to add water to the pile. The compost pile should also be constructed in a similar fashion as the hot composting method (brown, green, brown, brown, green, brown, etc.) with layers approximately 2 to 3 inches thick. The base layer for a cool composting pile should also consist of brown materials to promote air flow.

Turning the Pile

If your pile does start to smell, turning the pile and adding a small amount of wood shavings can be the solution to decreasing the smell. Odor coming from a compost pile is often the result of too much water, too many green materials, or food scraps not being buried deep enough. For any method of composting, if constructed properly, the pile should not have a strong odor.