Compost Problems

Composting is pretty easy to do. A well blended heap tends itself to a large extent. However, if you use too much or too little of a particular material, you could develop some compost issues that you didn't expect. Look for these signs to happen in your compost pile and take care of them quickly. This should keep your heap composting well all year long.

Look for these symptoms in your compost heap and troubleshoot according to the suggestions. Most common compost problems are listed, but I am sure this is not every issue that could occur. While this is not an exhaustive list, 90% of all compost irregularities develop from an unbalanced Carbon Nitrogen ratio or moisture oxygen mixture. If you do not see your issue in the list, examine your pile looking for too much or too little of browns and greens or wetness and matting.

Troubleshooting Composting Problems

  • Compost heap is damp and warn in center only.
    • Pile is too small (3x3x3 ft is the minimum)
    • In winter, the compost may need insulating
  • There is no activity in the compost heap
    • Low nitrogen
      • Add grass, manure, or vegetable scraps to the compost heap
    • Low oxygen
      • Aerate or turn your heap
    • Low moisture
      • Turn the heap and mist it well with a hose
      • Weight should be about %50 water
      • Should feel like a squeezed out sponge
    • If activity progressed and stopped, it could be finished
  • Compost heap smells like ammonia
    • Low carbon
      • Add browns to the heap and aerate
  • Smells like rotten eggs or vinegar
    • Low oxygen
      • Mix and aerate the compost heap
      • Add course browns
    • Too wet
      • Aerate and leave uncovered to evaporate excess moisture
      • Or add course browns to absorb moisture
  • Matted grass trimmings and leaves aren't composting
    • Low oxygen
      • Aerate
      • Avoid excessively thick layers of one material
      • Shred large materials (over an inch)


  • Attracts rodents and flies
    • Bad compost materials like meat or oils
    • Kitchen scraps not buried deep in the pile
  • Attracts Fire Ants
    • Low moisture
      • Wet the heap
    • Scraps aren't buried deep enough
  • Attracts slugs and millipedes
    • This is normal for composting