Q: I bought a compost tumbler last summer. I balanced the amount of green and brown matter I put in and I turn the tumbler a couple times a week. Now it is three-quarters full but nothing seems to be breaking down. What am I doing wrong?

A: Remember that composting depends on living organisms to do the task of chewing up the materials in your tumbler. When it’s cold, the vital fungi and bacteria slow their decomposition work to a stop. To warm things up in the depth of winter, cover the tumbler with clear plastic sheet down to the ground in all directions. That should get things cooking!