How to Fix a Composter

Overview

Keeping your composter running smoothly is easily done using materials from your kitchen and yard. Every composter needs nitrogen, carbon, moisture and air to create compost. The time it takes for your composter to create compost will vary with the balance of materials and the amount of compost you are working with. While cold weather may slow down your composting, the more attention you give your composter, the faster you can create compost. Alternately, if you are not in a hurry, you do not have to put much effort at all into your composting. However, if you run into a problem, troubleshoot the basics to fix your composter.

Step 1

Keep your composter efficient with a mix of green materials (kitchen waste) for nitrogen and brown materials (newspaper, dried leaves, hay) for carbon.

Step 2

Use a tumbling composter or turn your compost with a pitchfork to give your compost enough air.

Step 3

Add water to create a "damp mop" feel to your compost pile. Add brown materials to absorb an excess of water.

Step 4

Turn your composter to air it out and add brown materials to the top of the composter to help control any odor.

Step 5

Avoid adding dairy, fats, meat and bones to your composter to keep it from attracting pests. Bury your compost well and use chicken wire under and around your composter to discourage critters.