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Troubleshooting

If you are currently composting, this section will help you resolve any problems you might be having, including:

	Odor
	Pests
	Pile Too Cool
	Browns Too Slow to Compost

Odor

Your compost system should smell earthy, like a forest floor. A properly balanced and managed compost bin will not create obnoxious odors. If your compost starts to give off foul odor, the composting process is not operating at peak performance. Compost Happens! regardless of odor, but to make the composting experience enjoyable, it is best to avoid odors.

When the compost gives off odor, review this check-list for possible causes and solutions:

What causes odor:	What to do about it:
Lack of Oxygen	Turn the pile.
Excess (too much) Nitrogen	Option 1: Add a 2-3 inch layer of dry "brown" materials to the top of the pile Option 2: Mix in "brown" materials.
Excess (too much) Moisture	Option 1: Turn the pile Option 2: Add dry materials
Pile has compressed	Option 1: Turn the pile and break up any clumps that may have formed Option 2: Add bulky materials

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Pests

If your composting system attracts flies and animals, then the system is not functioning at peak performance. A hot composting system is a natural deterrent to pests, so try increasing the rate of decomposition if you experience problems with pests. Remember also that even the "pests" help to decompose your material into soil products.

In addition, consider the following:

What attracts pests:	What to do about it:
Kitchen scraps near the surface of the compost	Bury kitchen scraps in the center of the pile and cover new additions with "brown" materials.
Meat, fish, dairy products	Keep animal products from the pile
Compostable kitchen scraps stored outside	Incorporate organic material into the compost system right after scraps are generated.
Open bins	Use a "rodent-proof" bin will help exclude unwanted visitors.

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Pile Too Cool

If you are using the Hot Composting method and your composting system drops below 110�F, the composting process is not operating at peak performance. Compost Happens! at all temperatures, but without the high heat of an active pile, you won't achieve the benefits of the fast composting rate, seed destruction, and disease suppression.

When the compost gets too cool, review this check-list for possible causes and solutions:

Why your pile may not heat up:	What to do about it:
Lack of Oxygen	Turn the pile.
Lack of Nitrogen	Mix in "green" materials or nitrogen fertilizer
Lack of Moisture	Dampen the pile while turning
Excess Mositure	Turn the pile (See also - Odor)
Pile too small	Rebuild pile with enough material to form approximately one cubic yard ( 3' x 3' x 3' )
Compost nearing end of hot phase	Set the compost aside to "cure" while the active / hot composting process finishes up

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Browns Too Slow to Compost

If you have no sources of nitrogen and want leaves and yard waste to degrade faster, try purchasing some nitrogen in the form of ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate, an inexpensive high nitrogen lawn fertilizer without herbicide (NO WEED AND FEED FERTILIZERS). A complete garden fertilizer such as 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 will also work.

The first number in the fertilizer analysis is the "nitrogen". The more nitrogen, the less of the fertilizer that should be added. Add approximately 1 cup of ammonium nitrate or 3 cups of 10-10-10 to each 3 bushels of leaves added to the pile. Three bushels is about the same as a 3' x 3' x 6" layer of leaves in a compost bin. Do not over do it, if the browns are very porous, the fertilizer may wash through before it can be incorporated into the compost.

Also, brush up on what can be composted and check out the list of items that can be composted.

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