Can you help me with my compost?

Mr bill
by Mr bill
What chemical/substance can I add to my compost pile. It does't seem to generate heat or decomposition much. Thanks so much!
  6 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 05, 2017

    www.compostjunkie.com/what-can-i-add-to-my-compost-to-speed-the-breakdown

    • Ros20945277 Ros20945277 on Mar 06, 2017

      Do not add chemicals! Try a "tea" made with a cup of bread crumbs, and a spoonful of sugar or corn syrup. Sprinkle it around and stir it in. Do you keep your compost covered? If not, then try that.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 05, 2017

    www.compostjunkie.com/what-can-i-add-to-my-compost-to-speed-the-breakdown

  • Swinnen Lisette Swinnen Lisette on Mar 05, 2017

    There are several products in the garden shops.

    Try to work in layers : kitchen rests, cut grass, don't forget the weeds with soil on their roots. Then, when it is hot weather, don't let the compost dry out but water it. After six months, I lift off the (bottomless) container, put it next to my "heap" and put everything back in so the layers on top become the bottom layers. Then I already can use some of the bottom layer for my garden. I don't use chemicals.

    No animal rests (meat) but lots of coffee drab.

  • Shoshana Hoffman Shoshana Hoffman on Mar 06, 2017

    It sounds like your problem is either a moisture one or a nitrogen one. Compost piles need good ventilation so turning it is important. It's also important that it's not too wet (if you squeeze it, water should not come out) or too dry. If it's too wet then try turning the pile regularly or spread it out to let the water evaporate. If it's too dry, water it and turn. If you don't think it's a moisture problem then adding more nitrogen could be the solution (grass clippings, coffee grounds, etc).

    Good luck!

  • Equ20917472 Equ20917472 on Mar 06, 2017

    Dried molasses will break it down pretty quick. You can get it at some hardware stores and/or feed stores.

  • Shaza Lee Shaza Lee on Mar 07, 2017

    you did not say how large your compost pile is or what you put in it. the breakdown is from bacteria and enzymes naturally present in nature. it needs moisture and enough mass to work. 3 cubic feet is minimum 3x3x3 ft larger is better. you can add horse manure that you can get from any horse stable mixed with the bedding. that will restart it. your pile cannot just be one thing like grass cuttings.. it needs a mixture of green and brown. weeds, dry leaves, shredded paper, kitchen scraps. also needs some air and water