Having issues trying to make compost? Here are some of the most common issues that people have:
My compost pile is stinky.
- This is most likely due to the fact that there is too little air circulating through your pile. Too much watering can lead to this - just don't give your compost any water for a while. If the air smells strongly of ammonia, this is due to excessive ammonia. That's the smell of nitrogen leaving your compost, so add some more carbonaceous material to balance it out. Turning your compost pile can also solve this problem.
There are rodents and pests in my compost pile.
- If your nitrogen-rich food scraps sit on the top of your compost pile for too long, pests might catch the scent and eat it up. Try covering your food scraps with a carbon-rich material (like straw) and peel this back when adding your food scraps to get a sufficient layer of nitrogren in the compost. Another reason for pests might be protein-rich foods, such as meat, oils, or dairy, which should not be put into the pile. Sugary foods and processed grains can also attract pests. If there are slugs and centipedes in your compost pile, cheer! They're great for your heap, and means that life and death are cycling quickly in your composting.
My compost pile won't heat up.
One is that your pile might not have enough water. Try spraying the top of your pile with some water - enough for it to seep down deep into the pile.
Your compost pile might just be too small. If this is the case, just add some more material. If you don't currently have it on hand, just wait for the next time you mow your lawn or have food scraps build up. Again, 6 feet is the ideal height.
You might not have enough nitrogen rich material in your pile, or it might not be layered properly. Add more nitrogen-rich material, or turn accordingly to re-layer.
Your ingredients might be too large. Try cutting them up with a sharp hoe if this is the case.
My compost pile is stinky.
- This is most likely due to the fact that there is too little air circulating through your pile. Too much watering can lead to this - just don't give your compost any water for a while. If the air smells strongly of ammonia, this is due to excessive ammonia. That's the smell of nitrogen leaving your compost, so add some more carbonaceous material to balance it out. Turning your compost pile can also solve this problem.
There are rodents and pests in my compost pile.
- If your nitrogen-rich food scraps sit on the top of your compost pile for too long, pests might catch the scent and eat it up. Try covering your food scraps with a carbon-rich material (like straw) and peel this back when adding your food scraps to get a sufficient layer of nitrogren in the compost. Another reason for pests might be protein-rich foods, such as meat, oils, or dairy, which should not be put into the pile. Sugary foods and processed grains can also attract pests. If there are slugs and centipedes in your compost pile, cheer! They're great for your heap, and means that life and death are cycling quickly in your composting.
