Compost problems explained.

How To Speed Up Your Compost Heap

If you want to speed up your compost heap, turn it with a fork on a regular basis - once a week for the best result. Mixing the compost allows oxygen into the centre of the pile, where it encourages the growth of bacteria and micro-organisms. Fresh manure will activate the pile, causing it to decompose more quickly.

The size of the ingredients has a lot to do with the speed of decomposition. If you don't have a shredder for your leaves and small twigs, an excellent alternative is to run the lawnmower over them before you add them to the heap.

COMPOST PROBLEMS - REASONS AND CURES

The table below shows common problems with compost and how to cure them.

Problem	Cause	Action to Take
Bad smell	Too much nitrogen	Add coarser ingredients such as straw or woody shrub cuttings.
	Compaction	Turn the heap to introduce more oxygen. Add coarser material such as straw or woody shrub cuttings.
	Over-watering	Add dry leaves or cut newspaper to absorb the excess water, then turn the heap.
Pile not heating up	Lack of nitrogen	Add a nitrogen source such as fresh manure, grass clippings or bone meal, then turn the heap.
	Lack of oxygen	Turn the heap.
	Too dry	When watering, be sure the water gets to the centre of the heap. Try poking deep holes in the pile before watering.
	Compost is finished	Finished compost smells earthy rather than rotten or moldy and is dark brown and crumbly.
Compost is damp and only the centre is warm	Heap is too small	Add more compost material.

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