Composting is not a perfect science. It will naturally occur in the backyard heaps just like the way it does in the wild. However, if you’re planning to begin your composting pile then you must be aware of certain things that would make your composting experience convenient and pleasurable. I agree that initially, it may sound a bit complex, messy and overwhelming however once you begin it will all fall into place. Composting is the decomposition of organic material into nutrient-rich compost. Composting is an ideal way for each and every home to recycle all their garden and household waste efficiently. It doesn’t require heavy investments of time or money. In addition, compost does not have to be smelly if you do it the right way. So, let’s take a quick look at how you can actively recycle all your household waste into black gold without your compost smelling.
Odor
If the pile begins to stink that means something isn’t correct. Normally composting doesn’t stink. There are two kinds of smells; ammonia and rot, that afflict the pile. These have distinct and clear causes so it is very simple for you to detect and treat.
Rotting smells
If the pile begins to smell like rotting vegetables or rotten eggs it is anaerobic. What does this mean? It means that the pile has not received sufficient oxygen and failed to support microbes allowing the anaerobic guys to take over. These produce plenty of hydrogen which is a byproduct that stinks like eggs rotting.
If you are in such a situation do not panic, we have a very simple solution; turn your compost pile. Yes, this is going to be an extremely uncomfortable task because it will require you to get close to the heap, but trust me it will sort the issue out. Make sure the pile receives sufficient airflow by placing large stacks in the center supporting it. The pile will no sooner return to anaerobic mode.
Ammonia
If the pile has ammonia smells, then they will release excessive nitrogen like NH3. This issue happens frequently in composters that have materials rich in nitrogen, which means that your greens are more than your browns. A quick fix is to mix the pile and evenly spread the materials allowing all the excessive ammonia to eventually vaporize. You should also bring a balance in the bin by adding sufficient brown materials like chipped wood, sawdust, etc.
Does a compost pile smell?
A well-balanced pile will never have a bad smell. Compost usually don’t have any odor. If the composer does, that means something is wrong, maybe the heap is not heating up in order to break down all the organic matter.
Although there is an exception in case you are planning to compost manure then the pile will have some smell. This smell will last until the whole batch of manure deposited in the pile breaks down. Suppose you’re looking at a way to suppress the odor, then you could cover the compost with newspaper, leaves, or straw, it should be 12 inches thick. This was a major difference in the stench.
I do hope that these insights will give you more clarity about composting, its smell, and quick fixes. Thanks for stopping by, take care.