Before you say it, let me explain...as I threw in the newly added vegetable matter, I realized my husband hadn't cut the kale stalks, banana peel and orange rinds into smaller pieces, which after taking this image, I did just that. Back to the update: last month our compost froze but with the warmer weather of the past few weeks, it thawed and now it smells. I've learned two possible reasons for why it smells, but I need your input...
...to figure out if my sources are, in fact, accurate.
Two possible reasons I've been told why the compost smells: it's not getting enough oxygen (rather, being turned enough) or it needs more brown matter, such as leaves or newspapers.
Or is this just what happens when compost thaws and too much moisture remains behind?
Thoughts? Comments? Please share in the comments below!
(Image: Landis Carey)
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I didn't know composting had so many rules! :P We don't bother cutting anything up into smaller pieces, just toss in a couple of shovel-fulls of dirt once in a while to cover up any extra food items, turn once in a while, and it's perfect. We have an outdoor patch about 3x3, full of millions of worms. The only worry we have is to make sure it's covered so our dog doesn't go scavenging.
Usually compost starts to smell when there is too much moisture. It can be be fixed, just as you suggested, with more brown matter that is mixed into all of the compost.
Both...you need more brown matter (leaves /newspapers) and it needs to be aerated...The moisture level should be that of a wrung out sponge
Yep it's both.
Just like how food that has been frozen in your freezer releases liquid when thawed, so goes the compost.
Make sure that if it's in a tumbler any drainage points are not blocked/ frozen. The upside is that stuff will break down more quickly now. Add some brown and mix it up!
Do you use worms? I've always heard that using worms helps with the aeration. My mom had a basement composter for the winter, and with the hardworking worms, there was never a smell.
Yeah, It smells because there is too much moisture, add some newspaper, give it a good turn, and if it's a closed bin, leave it open on sunny days to help it dry out a bit. You'll be back to smelling like dirt in no time!
i never add newspaper to mine. how often do you do so?
I add newspaper because I lack trees, so no leaves. I tear it in long strips and stir in in with a garden fork. We used to have a never ending supply, but we no longer subscribe. I've had to keep my out out for other sources of 'brown' for the compost.
we get a free local paper twice a week which may be 10 full sheets of newsprint. and if I'm in the sort of cafe which has newspapers for patrons, and it's late in the day, I take the classifieds which are sitting in the rack. no one ever reads them. If it's near closing, I ask the cashier if I can just take the paper, as I know they'll be tossing it soon.
I also add coffee filters, tea bags, paper napkins from take out meals, boxes and other bits and pieces.