# Should extra compost be covered over the winter? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 5, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-extra-compost-be-covered-over-the-winter/608570 "2012-01-05T23:58:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-extra-compost-be-covered-over-the-winter/608570/1 "2012-01-05T23:58:01Z")
It’s been so unusually warm and Spring like that I built a circular bed for bulbs. I planted a Hyacinth Mix, Muscari, Allium, Crocus, and some Tulips in the bed. I usually would plant them by early Dec, but it’s been so warm. I was afraid they might sprout if I planted them before now. It’ll get cold very quickly. We’ll probably have some snow in early Feb. I’ve got a full 20 Gallon yard waste container of organic compost left over. The good stuff that’s putting out heat. 😃 I was going to make a small mounded pile along the back fence to store it until Spring. Should it be covered or left uncovered? I’d love to keep it alive (active) until Spring. Also have a 20 Gallon container of top soil. Same deal. A small mounded pile along the fence. Leaving it Uncovered ok? 20 Gallon container [![](http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/051596/051596080167lg.jpg) ](http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/051596/051596080167lg.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-extra-compost-be-covered-over-the-winter/608570/2 "2012-01-06T02:46:30Z")
I don’t see a problem with leaving it uncovered, unless it would blow away, wash away or become a home to varmints. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-extra-compost-be-covered-over-the-winter/608570/3 "2012-01-06T03:25:30Z")
I wasn’t sure how compost would react to getting wet. I know it can absorb a lot of water when its mixed in soil. It should dry out in the sun. This was some bulk compost I bought at the nursery. I never had the room to make my own compost.