Reddit comment saved my compost pile from smelling like rotten eggs

Some random user said to add more browns than greens, like a 3:1 ratio. I was doing roughly equal parts and my bin in the backyard was a stinky mess. Three weeks after following that ratio, it smells like dirt and I actually see worms in there now. Anyone else find a single piece of advice that flipped a project around?

3 comments

3 Comments

troy_owens23d ago

Yo the lasagna method is literally the same thing that saved my pile too. I was dumping coffee grounds and grass clippings together like an idiot, now I layer browns and greens like a pro and my bin hasn't smelled since.

oscar_hunt6123d ago

Man, have you ever tried just mixing in some dry leaves or shredded paper when it starts smelling? That was my saving grace. I was having the same problem with my pile turning into a wet, stinky mess back when I started. Someone told me to keep a stash of browns like cardboard or dried grass near the bin, and whenever I added kitchen scraps I'd throw a handful on top. It soaked up all the extra moisture and the smell went away within a couple days. Now I just make sure I never dump a bunch of greens without covering them with browns, and my pile stays fresh even in the summer heat. It's wild how simple stuff like that makes all the difference.

the_robert24d ago

Manure hot composting was a game changer for me. I was just piling leaves and kitchen scraps in a heap and it always turned into a slimy, stinky mess. Then someone online said to layer it like lasagna with a thick brown layer, then a green layer, then soil, and keep it as wet as a wrung out sponge. Did that and the pile started steaming in three days. The smell disappeared and I got the best dirt I've ever made in about two months. It went from a chore I hated to something I actually look forward to messing with. Definitely worth trying if you're still dealing with smells.