Hi Del –
It sounds like you’re doing everything right, but are having trouble due to the cooler temperatures! Regardless, I feel certain that we can get your bin heated up. Below I’ve included some tips and techniques that I hope help.
The bacteria that work to break down organic garbage into compost do not do well in freezing temperatures. One thing you can do to offset the cold is to keep your compost pile in a black bin in direct sunlight or you can insulate it using organic materials like hay bales.
Nitrogen: Since most piles are short on nitrogen, not carbon, adding nitrogen will generally help a pile heat up quickly. (If the pile starts smelling like ammonia, you know youโve gone too far.) Quick fix nitrogen sources include blood meal, organic cotton-seed meal, alfalfa pellets, and manures, especially chicken manure. Sprinkle, donโt dump, one of these here and there in the pile as it accumulates.
Micro-Organisms/ Activators: Since itโs the micro-organisms that do the bulk of the work in an active pile, adding extras will hurry the process along. Dig down a layer or two, and sprinkle some of the dry mix into the damp center of the pile, in several different places. If you put it on top, be sure to water it in as it wonโt become active until damp.
Shredders: Smaller pieces provide more surface area for the micro-organisms to attack. If you chop, shred or grind your compostable materials before adding them to the bin you in effect do some of the beastiesโ work for them, which saves time. Some people toss the dayโs compost into a food processor or grinder; some use a paper-shredder on newsprint and office paper; some use chippers or a machete on twigs and branches; some use a mulching lawn-mower to shred leaves and other compostables.
Oxygen: Turning is the time-honored method of providing oxygen to a pile. Itโs also a good idea to turn the contents since it rearranges the decaying material. With a little care, you can move the less decomposed material on the outsides to the middle of the pile to heat up.
If your bin still does not heat up you may want to consider a worm bin or a bokashi system to help break down your organic materials.
https://www.planetnatural.com/composter-connection/indoor-composting/bokashi-composting/
https://www.planetnatural.com/composter-connection/indoor-composting/vermicomposting/
Good luck!