Compost bins

[juuule]

Probably a stupid question but are compost bins supposed to smell bad? When the weather warms up ours is starting to whiff a bit. I'm worried that if it gets worse then I'll have the neighbours complaining. As I'm new to this I'm wondering if there is something I should or shouldn't be doing. I just throw in the stuff it said was okay on the booklet that came with the bin.

[nearlythere]

they do whiff a bit but as long as the lid fits nicely it shouldn't be too overpowering- but do remember that the food is rotting in there!
if my neighbours ever made comment i would point out that global warming will affect them more than a bit of veggie pong!

[juuule]

Hmm I thought as much.
"but do remember that the food is rotting in there" that's why I said it was probably a stupid question.
I just thought maybe there was some trick that experienced composters knew.

[nearlythere]

not very experienced myself i'm afraid!! i tend to steer clear of the stinky area and let dh do the dirty work!! i have a little bucket by the back door- but that tends to hum a bit on a hot day!

there are additives that you can but in the composters but i'm not sure if it stops the stink or just speeds things up!


WE NEED A REAL GARDENER IN HERE PLEASE!

[bozza]

Ours smelt a bit last summer, particularly when it had been opened to put stuff in - we let the smell out IYSWIM. But it wasn't that bad and hasn't really started to yet this time. What sort have you got?

[juuule]

It's a tall black plastic one a bit like the picture in the middle here
We got it through the offer on the council website. I should probably go and read a bit more on this website.

[popmum]

are you ensuring there is a good balance of 'green' ie garden waste and kitchen waste? A nice layer of grass cuttings will help with the smell i think!! (no way an expert but we just empited our 1st lot out the other day!!!)

[juuule]

Well the grass is due a trim so I'll give that a try.

[bozza]

you are supposed to make sure you get a good mix of browns and greens. I think fruit/veg peelings are mainly greens as is grass, but paper shreddings, egg cartons etc is brown. I think too much green would lead to stinkiness, as would it being too wet. Too much brown or too dry and it will not break down very quickly. I would have thought that was an OK bin for containing the smell. Maybe try and only open it up in the evening so that the smell isn't wafting around all day.