How to Troubleshoot Your Compost Pile
- 1). Using a pitchfork, turn the compost pile to loosen the ingredients, allowing better air flow within the pile and releasing odors. Add a layer of twigs to create air space in the mixture.
- 2). Add dry materials to a too-wet pile. Compost should be as wet as a wrung-out sponge. Use pitchfork to rotate the pile again.
- 3). Add water to a too-dry pile. Use the fork to turn and mix the pile.
- 4). Add fresh grass clippings or other nitrogen products like fruit or vegetable scraps to a small pile that is not getting hot enough to break down ingredients. Turn new ingredients into the old mixture with a fork. The pile should be at least 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet to get hot enough to decompose.
- 5). Chop any large pieces of material into smaller pieces.
- 6). Cover food scraps with a thin layer of soil to control flies. Add 2 to 4 inches of brown material like straw or leaves.
- 7). Add brown material to the pile if it has an ammonia-like odor. Too much grass clippings or food scraps and not enough dry leaves or wood prunings are the culprits in this case.
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