Compost_ Piles_Troubleshooting_Problems.pdf

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Troubleshooting Compost Piles
SYMPTOM
POSSIBLE CAUSE
Compost pile is damp and warm The pile may be too small.
in the middle, but nowhere else.
Compost pile isn’t heating up.
If it seems damp and sweet
smelling, it may be a lack of
nitrogen.
Not enough oxygen.
Cool weather
The pile may be too small.
Pile was built over several
months.
Compost may be finished.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION/ALTERNATIVE
Gather enough material to form a pile 3’ by 3’ by 3’
and/or insulate the sides and cover the top.
Mix in fresh grass clippings, manure, blood meal or other
material high in nitrogen. If it is difficult to turn the pile,
create holes in the pile and add the nitrogen-rich material.
Turn or fluff the pile.
Increase pile size and/or insulate it with straw or a
plastic cover.
Gather enough material to form a pile 3’ by 3’ by 3’
and/or insulate the sides and cover the top.
Don’t worry about it. Let pile compost “cold.” Check
for finished compost.
If it looks dark and crumbly and smells earthy (not
moldy or rotten), it may be done. Use it! (If unsure, call
for more info.)
Turn the compost and add water. Moisten new materials
before adding to the pile. If the pile is out in the open,
consider covering with a straw or plastic cover. The pile
should be as damp as a wrung-out sponge throughout.
Break up layers with garden fork or shred them, then
re-layer pile. Avoid adding heavy layers of leaves, grass
clippings, hay or paper unless first shredded.
Screen out undecomposed items, reduce size if
necessary and use in a new pile.
Turn the pile and add course dry materials such as leaves,
straw, or corn stalks to soak up excess moisture. Protect
the pile from rain using a plastic film or other cover.
Compost pile isn’t heating up.
The pile is dry throughout.
Lack of water.
Matted, undecomposed layers
of leaves or grass clippings.
Large, undecomposed items.
Compost pile has a bad odor
like a mixture of rancid butter,
vinegar and rotten eggs.
Compost pile has a bad odor
like ammonia.
Compost pile is attracting rats,
raccoons, dogs, flies or other
pests.
Compost pile contains earwigs,
slugs and/or other insects.
Compaction, poor aeration.
Size and composition of
materials.
Not enough oxygen, too wet.
Not enough oxygen, compacted. Turn the pile and shake materials apart to aerate.
Pile may have too much
Add materials high in carbon such as shredded leaves,
nitrogen.
non-treated wood chips, sawdust or shredded newsprint
and aerate.
Inappropriate food scraps
may have been added: meat,
fat, bones or other animal by-
products.
Pile is composting correctly
Insects are a good sign of a
productive compost pile.
Avoid adding such material; use a rodent-resistant bin
with a top, bottom and sides. Bury non-fatty kitchen by-
products 8”-12” deep in the pile.
Note: slugs live happily in compost piles. If the pile is
next to a garden, barriers can be placed between the
pile and nearby garden with traps, metal flashing, etc.
This fact sheet was adapted with permission from The Composting Council’s National Backyard Composting Program Training Manual (1996).
STOPPING TROUBLE BEFORE IT STARTS
Material
Barbecue ashes/coal
Cardboard (CC)
Coffee grounds (N, P)
Cooked food scraps
Cornstalks, cobs (C, K)
Dishwater
Dryer lint
Eggshells
Fish scraps
Grass clippings (N, P, K)
Grease
Kitty litter
Manures - horse, cow, sheep, goat,
chicken, pig
Dog, cat & bird manure
Mushroom compost
Newspaper (CC)
Oak leaves (C)
Pine cones (C)
Sawdust, wood shavings (CC)
Weeds
Wood ashes (P,K)
OK?
No
Yes
Yes, but
Yes, but
Yes, but
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes, but
No
No
Yes, but
No
Yes, but
Yes
Yes, but
Yes, but
Yes, but
Yes, but
Yes, but
Comments
Contains sulfur oxides; bad for garden
Glue probably organic
Acidic
Low in nutrients and may attract animals if it contains
oils or meat/dairy
Must be mixed with nitrogen-rich material
Most dishwashing soaps contain perfumes, greases,
sodium
This is a good one!
Crush; source of calcium
Can attract animals; bury scraps in a trench
Not from lawns treated with pesticides; good nitrogen
source when fresh, carbon source when dried
Does not break down well in backyard system; attracts
animals & slows composting process
Likely to contain disease organisms
Horse manure more likely than others to contain weed
seeds; compost thoroughly
May contain disease organisms
May contain fungicides; low in nutrients, but good
soil builder
Shred for compost, use shredded or flat for mulch;
colored sheets now considered OK
Acidic
Decompose slowly; acidic
High in carbon and must be mixed with nitrogen-rich
material
Only if weeds are green and seeds have not matured
Use small amounts; highly alkaline
N - Nitrogen, P - Phosphorus, K - Potassium, C - Carbon (All plant and animal materials contain carbon. A single C
needs to be accompanied by nitrogen or it will rob nitrogen from the soil.) CC - Extra large amounts of carbon, so
needs additional nitrogen.
Compost Chart adapted from National Gardening Magazine, June 1986
Building Strong and Vibrant New York Communities

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