Composting yard and food waste provides many benefits. It creates healthy soil and plants as organic matter is returned to the earth. Starting a compost pile is easy by selecting a sunny location and layering green nitrogen-rich materials like food scraps with brown carbon materials like leaves. The pile should be aerated and kept at the moisture of a damp sponge. Troubleshooting issues like odor, pests or temperature can be addressed by adjusting the carbon to nitrogen ratio or moisture level of the pile. Other methods of composting include leaving grass clippings on lawns or sheet composting leaves directly into garden beds.
9. Troubleshooting Countryside Problem Possible Cause Solution Foul odor Excess moisture Turn pile or add dry material such as straw Compaction Turn the pile or decrease size Ammonia odor Too much nitrogen Add high carbon (brown items) Low temp Pile too small, too little moisture, poor aeration, cold weather Enlarge pile, add water and turn, turn pile, increase pile size or insulate with straw High temp Pile too large, too much nitrogen Reduce pile size or turn, add high carbon (brown) material Pests present Presence of meat scraps, or fatty food waste Remove meat and fatty foods and cover with a layer of soil, switch to animal proof bin
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Editor's Notes
Composting is the biological decomposition of organic material into a humus-like substance. Composting is actually very easy. It does take time but you can do some things to speed up the process. In the end it is an easy and practical way to improve your garden and our environment