The compost can quickly become an odor nuisance if the wrong decomposition processes take place inside. If you pay attention to a few aspects when composting, you will prevent bad smells.
When kitchen waste rots, it can smell bad
processes in compost
Unpleasant odors indicate that undesirable processes are taking place in the compost. The compost needs a balanced level of moisture and good aeration for the right bacteria and yeast to break down the organic matter. The microorganisms responsible for the rotting processes need oxygen. In a material that is too wet, in which anaerobic conditions exist, putrefaction processes take place. When the compost begins to rot, bad odors develop. Properly functioning compost does not smell unpleasant.
Reasons for smelly compost:
- too much wet organic waste
- too densely piled material
- a watertight substrate in the compost
prevention and control
Bring kitchen scraps to the compost daily to allow wet biomass to dry off. If you store the kitchen waste in a bucket, the liquid collects on the bottom and promotes rotting processes. In addition, fruit flies spread quickly. You should roll particularly wet kitchen waste in newspaper, which will decompose on the compost. Do not use colored paper.
Bad odors on the surface can be eliminated with a handful of lime or stone flour. Alternatively, you can add a thin layer of soil or sand to the compost. The substrate absorbs the liquid. If you have a second compost with mature substrate, you can use this soil to cover the fresh compost.
To stop the formation of ammonia gases during the rotting process, you should regularly turn over the compost or loosen it up with a compost fork. This ensures a good supply of oxygen. Add dry clippings, horn shavings (€32.93) or rock flour (€14.13) to the compost to aid rotting.
rot accelerator
Compost accelerators are an effective way to encourage rotting in compost. An ecological accelerator is a mixture of sugar and yeast dissolved in lukewarm water. The yeasts decompose the organic material and generate a lot of heat. Within a short time, temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Celsius develop in the compost. During this hot rotting process, the decomposition processes take place particularly quickly. Also make sure that the substrate is only as damp as a squeezed out sponge.