How’d I get hot compost in winter? I’ll tell you: I cheated. I added lots of nitrogen-rich bloodmeal to replace the green stuff that provides nitrogen in summer. “Lots” here means a sprinkling over the whole pile—maybe a couple of tablespoons—after adding four inches or so of material. Cotton-meal should work just as well, but be sure it's organic: pesticides, which are used heavily on cotton, concentrate in the seeds, which are ground to make the meal.
Perhaps I should define "winter" here: for days last week highs were around freezing, but they've been warmer recently, with rain melting last week's snow. So it's cool rather than cold, but temperatures are predicted to drop again tomorrow.
The bin is of course central to successful composting, and I’m a little reluctant to reveal mine, since even a glimpse of it will probably reduce most of you to envious teeth-gnashing. However, if you promise to restrain your wails, I’ll bow to the inevitable. Here it is, a high-class affair cobbled together years ago from a few boards and some chicken wire, built near one of the West's loveliest fences:
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