Troubleshooting your Compost
Ultimate Plus 1400 Gallon Liner Pond Kit
$409.99
The composting process doesn't always go as smoothly as we would like – sometimes we can hit a couple of stumbling blocks before we get the technique perfected. If you find you're having any of the common problems below, here are some easy ways to solve them.
Problem: Compost attracts rodents, flies, etc.
Possible Causes:
- Food exposed or too close to surface of compost pile
- Meat, Poultry, Fish, Fat, Dairy present in compost
Solutions:
- Bury all food in the middle of the pile.
- Don't bury inappropriate materials (meats, bones, dairy)
- Pest proof your composter with a weighted down lid and mesh wire across the bottom.
Problem: Compost pile smells bad
Possible Causes:
- Pile is too wet
- Too much nitrogen in the pile, not enough oxygen
- Food exposed or too close to surface of compost pile
Solutions:
- Turn pile so it can breathe
- Add dry materials
- Reduce how often you water your compost pile
- Cover food
Problem: Pile too hot
Possible Causes:
- Pile too large
- Too much nitrogen
Solutions:
- Seperate pile into smaller piles, none larger than 4'x4'x4'
- Mix in dry browns
Problem: Pile doesn't heat up
Possible Causes:
- Pile is too small
- Not enough nitrogen in pile
- Not enough water
Solutions:
- Add more nitrogen rich materials - grass clipping, fruit, etc.
- Add more materials
- Mix up the pile
- Add water
