Starting a compost pile in Michigan winter? (manure, vegetable, spring)

[chiroptera]

I plan on putting in a good-sized vegetable garden come spring, soil seems decent but I'd like to start a compost pile. At a previous house in Michigan, I had a great one going, but I started it in early spring. It's too cold for any activity to happen in an outdoor pile for the next few months, right? Temps won't get much above freezing until March or so. No space or inclination to start an indoor compost bin.

I've been saving coffee grounds and vegetable trimmings in a 5 gallon bucket, I figure by spring I will have plenty to layer in with leaf mulch, a little manure, etc, so I can build a decent-sized pile quickly and get it heating up.

Does this sound like a good plan, or should I start building a pile outside now? I'm guessing there's not much point since it will stay frozen for the next few months?

[John Walmsley]

chiroptera,

The following link may give you some good information on winter composting:

Winter Composting

[chiroptera]

Oh cool! This is an excellent resource, thanks so much.

[Ohiogirl81]

The sooner you get started, the sooner you get compost!

[chiroptera]

Believe it!
I guess worst case scenario, it won't start heating up, according to what I'm reading in that blog. But I'll have a head start come spring. Worth a try, although it's seven degrees with a brisk wind outside right now so I'm not rushing out to get started today. Shoveling the driveway was enough cold-weather fun for my morning. Even the dogs don't want to stay out long.

[round tuit]

...sounds like compost on a stick!