Reber Ranchwww.reberranch.com

U.S. Dept of Agriculturewww.usda.gov

King County Agriculture Commissionwww.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/agriculture/commission.aspx

WSU.educationwww.smallfarms.wsu.edu/soils-compost/composting.html

Cornell.educationwww.compost.css.cornell.edu/

Cal-Berkely.educationwww.ocf.berkeley.edu/~lgb/?p=458

References and Other Information

Tips for troubleshooting compost issues:

Composting Basics

Your helpful guide to easy

composting from your friends

at Reber Ranch.

Composting Basics

Symptom Possible Cause & Solution

Batch is Not Enough Nitrogen Not Heating Add a nitrogen source such as manure,(low blood meal or activator.temperature)

Batch Too Small Add more materials to fill the container, making sure you maintain and correct C/N ratio.

Not Enough Moisture Add water by lightly sprinkling or misting.

Too Much Moisture Add absorbent carbon material such as shredded leaves or sawdust.

Cooler Weather Add additional materials or booster to “jump start” the batch if warm weather returns.

Cold Weather Stop composting if your temperatures are below 40˚f

Batch Smells Like:

Strong Ammonia Too Much Nitrogen Add a high carbon source such as dry shredded leaves, sawdust, or shredded straw.

Foul Too Wet, Grass is Fermenting Aerate the batch by turning the materials and add bulking material such as wood chips to increase air source within the pile. Add absorbent dry material like sawdust.