Just realized compost bins don't have to smell bad

I was against starting a compost pile for like 3 years cause I thought it would stink up my whole backyard. Then my buddy showed me his setup with a 50/50 mix of greens and browns and it barely smelled at all. Anybody else change their mind about composting after seeing one done right?

3 comments

3 Comments

wadem8912d ago

Oh man totally, the brown to green ratio is everything. I used to wing it and ended up with a swampy mess until I started layering browns like crazy, now it just smells like forest floor instead of garbage juice.

ryan36911d ago

Yeah cardboard was the fix for me too, night and day difference.

emery19912d ago

Oh man, I was exactly the same way for like two years! My neighbor had this nasty smelling pile and I figured that was just how it worked. Once I actually learned the trick is way more browns than greens, it was a total game changer. I keep a stash of dried leaves and shredded cardboard right next to the bin so I can always dump a layer on top after adding kitchen scraps. The key is to never let it get wet and slimy, that's when the stink hits. I also give it a quick turn with a pitchfork every couple weeks just to keep air moving through it. Now my bin just smells like damp dirt, nothing gross at all.