How to Make Compost in High Desert (Beat the Dryness & Cold)
Composting method for Utah's dry climate—pile-building, moisture management, and hot vs. cold composting.
TL;DR
- Time: 3–6 months to finished compost
- Cost: $
- Yield:
- Difficulty: Beginner
Supplies
Tools
Steps
Pro Tips
Fall is the best time to build a compost pile. You have lots of leaves (brown), and cooler weather means less drying.
Avoid meat, dairy, and oils in the compost. They attract rodents and smell bad. Vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells are safe.
Grass clippings pack down and heat up fast—great for hot piles. But layer them thin or they'll mat. Mix with leaves.
Shredded leaves compost faster than whole leaves. If you have a leaf vacuum, use it.
Manure from herbivores (horses, cattle, sheep) is great compost. Manure from meat-eaters (dogs, cats) should never go in edible-garden compost.
If you have a choice, chop or shred materials before piling. Smaller pieces decompose faster.
Warnings
Don't add diseased plant foliage to compost (tomato blight, powdery mildew, etc.). Cold compost won't get hot enough to kill spores. Bag and trash diseased material.
Don't add black walnut leaves or husks. They're allelopathic (they kill other plants). Same goes for diseased wood or branches treated with pesticides.
Research & Sources
- Home Composting in Utah
Dr. Heidi Kratsch, USU Extension (2024) - Composting Methods for High Desert Climates
Dr. Dan Drost, USU Extension (2023) - Organic Matter Management
Utah State University Extension (2024) - Sevier County Composting Guide
Sevier County Extension (2023)
Frequently Asked Questions
How wet should my pile be?
Like a wrung-out sponge. If water drips out, it's too wet. If it's dust-dry, it's too dry. Check by squeezing a handful of material.
Why does my pile smell like ammonia?
Too much nitrogen (green material). Add more brown material (leaves, straw, shredded paper) to balance it out.
How do I know when it's done?
Finished compost is dark brown, crumbly, and smells earthy (not sour or rotten). Original materials are unrecognizable. If you see whole leaves or twigs, it's not done yet.
Can I compost in winter?
Decomposition slows dramatically below 50°F. Keep piling in fall, but don't expect much action in winter. Spring comes and things speed up again.
