Winter is when most things in the garden slow down, including the compost heap. As temperatures drop and days get shorter, the microbes that work to break down organic matter in compost are far less active than they are during summer. Does this mean you can forget about your compost heap during winter and return…
Compost shouldn’t stink. If yours smells bad, then something’s gone wrong. You can think of the smell as a warning sign – your compost’s calling for help! On the upside, for every stench, there’s a solution 🙂 But you must figure out what triggered the odor before you can fix it. Below I’ll share the…
It can be a bit of a shock! Finding mold growing in your compost pile isn’t the most pleasant surprise. If you’ve discovered something moldy in your compost, you’re probably wondering whether this is good or bad? And if your compost has mold, can you still use it? Should you try to prevent it? And…
White Worms in Compost (Is this Good or Bad?) Finding white worms in compost can be a startling discovery. Quite often, they appear in large groups. It almost looks like your compost is infested! But are these wiggly creatures something to worry about? Or just a normal part of the composting process? It’s certainly not…
It’s getting hot! You didn’t expect your compost pile to reach such high temperatures. So much so that you’re beginning to get worried that it might combust into flames! People new to composting may have concerns about fire risks. So should you really be concerned? There are several types of composting, but only one method…
Imagine my surprise. Opening up my compost bin one day, I found a bunch of weeds growing in my compost! Weeds have evolved to become highly adept at surviving. Often, they out-perform the plants we actually want to grow! Yes… You can dig them up, chop them into pieces, and torture them any way you…
Imagine having rodents scurrying around your feet every time you deposit kitchen scraps! And hearing the pitter-patter of tiny feet around your compost? It should be said that rat infestations in compost are pretty rare, so don’t let this put you off composting. But compost can indeed attract rats and other furry mammals from time…
They looked kind of icky! I don’t mind bugs in general, but these things were pretty gross. If you’re like me, you probably don’t mind most bugs – unless they’re really ugly. And boy, these white grubs in my compost pile were pretty awful! They were all curled up in a C-shape but thankfully weren’t…
Let’s face it. It’s soggy, and it smells weird! The moisture level in your compost is one of the four critical components you need to monitor. Otherwise, things can get lopsided pretty quickly. So what do you do if your compost is too wet, and how do you figure out the proper moisture levels? Keep…
Many people avoid starting a compost bin because they don’t want to attract unwanted insects, such as fruit flies, to their garden and home. Don’t let this possibility prevent you from producing your own nutrient-rich compost! There are ways to discourage these critters from taking up residence in your compost bin! Whether you call them…