I've been using a compost bin for a couple of years, and while the first year went great, the last two have been a struggle. My compost ends up smelling terrible and has a consistency similar to fresh cow manure. It's overly wet and still contains a lot of non-decomposed grass after a year. I stop adding materials around August to let it break down over winter, but I'm looking for advice on how to improve this situation. Specifically, I want to know:
1. How can I eliminate the bad smell?
2. What can I do to reduce the moisture content?
3. How do I encourage proper decomposition? Thanks!
2 Answers
It sounds like you might be overloading your compost with greens, which can make it slimy and smelly. Mixing in more carbon sources like shredded cardboard or dried leaves can help absorb excess moisture and balance things out. Also, be sure to aerate it by turning it frequently to prevent that dense matting effect. It can really make a huge difference.
The main issue could be an imbalance in your compost materials. You need a good mix of 'greens' (nitrogen-rich materials like grass) and 'browns' (carbon-rich materials like dried leaves). If you're adding too much green, it can cause anaerobic conditions and a foul smell. Try mixing in more brown materials, and make sure to turn your compost regularly to aerate it. This should help with decomposition and smell!
Thanks for the tips! I’ll definitely try adding dried leaves next time.