Help! How can I control compost smell?

[nittanyxi]

The weather has started to get warmer here (PA) and I cleaned out the run of the chicken coop. I have a compost pile behind the fence in my back yard. It didn't really smell that bad when it was in the run but I guess having it all in a pile creates more of a smell, plus the fact that the weather was warmer today. I'm worried about the neighbors complaining about the smell. Is there anything I can do to reduce it?

 

[msbee]

mix it up a lot and water it a lot - that helps it decay faster.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Trench composting is another option. It may not be available to you, but here in the country, we use our tractor and plow a trench in the garden or field and deposit the manure and litter into the trench in the soil. Cover. Decomposition occurs below and no smells.

Agree with adding lime and turning above ground compost piles.

 

[Organics North]

Turn the pile and add more browns/carbon.

Yes lime will stop the smell, however I think it will burn off too much volatile nitrogen. Best way to retain the nitrogen is add more browns..

ON

 

[Barry Natchitoches]

Quote:
This is excellent advice!


Ken (and also Organics North) are right. Definitely follow this advice.


(I am a Tennessee Master Gardener, and teach classes on how to make up compost, and this is exactly what you need to do!)

 

[classicsredone]

Keeping the pile moist, hot, and aerated is the best option. You can also add beneficial microbes that help kick-start the composting process. (Garden stores will carry them.)

 

[Knittycat]

I just planted a jasmine vine next to my compost bin.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Hi I’m new here! I’m wondering what you mean by Adding more Brown? Like Leaves?

Yes, browns are the high carbon items...leaves, wood chips, straw, shredded paper/cardboard, etc.

"Greens" are the high nitrogen stuff like food waste, grass clippings, etc.

 

[Elena1990]

A couple things you could do: first, buy a bag of lime & mix the lime with it. This won't help speed up the composting process. Second, dk how big your yard is, but you could get a bag of fall leaves & mix them in, and a second bag to cover the pile. That should help smell & decomposition. Do you have a lot of chicken waste with pine shavings in the pile as well as food?

Btw, I'm in the Burgh too (Shaler Twp) and I've got lots of free leaves Howdy Yinz!

I have a super smelly compost that has chicken manure. I added a lot of pine shavings and turned it this morning and it still stinks

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Wow! Well, the good news is that once we get the smell down, that should be some great compost! In addition to more carbon, I agree that more turning to get more oxygen in isn't a bad thing at all.