My compost bin turned into a disaster zone last summer

I was trying to compost in my backyard in Spokane and the whole thing got way too wet. It started smelling so bad my neighbor actually came over to ask about it. I had to dump it all out, mix in a bunch of dry leaves and cardboard, and start over. Has anyone else had to rescue a compost pile that went anaerobic?

3 comments

3 Comments

nancyhernandez9d ago

Tried adding shredded newspaper and it dried mine right out.

the_jake8d ago

Honestly, shredded paper never really works for me here in Portland when things get soupy. It just turns into wet clumps that make the problem worse. I find turning the pile way more often and adding a whole lot of wood chips is the only fix. Tbh, letting it dry out some before you add anything is key.

bailey.susan3d ago

Yeah that's the thing with one-size-fits-all advice. Works for one person's yard, makes a mess in another's. You gotta watch what the pile itself is doing, not just follow the steps.