Processes in compost
Unpleasant smells indicate that undesirable processes are taking place in the compost. The compost needs a balanced level of moisture and good ventilation so that the right bacteria and yeasts break down the organic matter. The microorganisms that are responsible for the rotting processes need oxygen. Putrefaction processes take place in a material that is too wet and in which there are anaerobic conditions. When the compost starts to rot it creates bad smells. A properly functioning compost does not smell bad.
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These are reasons for a smelly compost:
- too much wet organic waste
- too densely piled material
- a waterproof subsurface in the compost
Prevention and control
Put kitchen waste on the compost every day to allow wet biomass to dry off. If you store kitchen waste in a bucket, the liquid collects on the bottom and promotes putrefaction. In addition, fruit flies spread quickly. Especially wet kitchen waste should be rolled up in newspaper, which will decompose on the compost. Do not use colored paper.
You can get rid of bad smells on the surface with a handful of lime or Stone meal remove. Alternatively, you can put a thin layer of soil or sand on top of the compost. The substrate soaks up the liquid. If you have a second compost with mature substrate, you can cover the fresh compost with this soil.
To stop the formation of ammonia gases during the rotting process, you should regularly rearrange the compost or loosen it with a compost fork. This ensures a good supply of oxygen. Provide dry clippings, Horn shavings(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) or Rock flour(€ 12.33 at Amazon *) in the compost to support the rotting.
Rotting accelerator
Compost accelerator are an effective way of helping compost rot. An ecological accelerator is a mixture of sugar and yeast that is dissolved in lukewarm water. The yeasts break down the organic material and generate a great deal of heat. Temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Celsius develop in the compost within a short period of time. During this hot rotting, the degradation processes take place particularly quickly. Make sure that the substrate is only as damp as a squeezed sponge.
