sethc12•3d agoMost Upvoted

Finally got my neighborhood composting bin full for the first time this week

I started a backyard compost pile back in April and it's been mostly kitchen scraps and dead leaves, but I finally filled a 55 gallon bin on Tuesday after my neighbor brought over her grass clippings. The pile actually heated up to 140 degrees for two days, which felt like a real win after months of just soggy mess. Has anyone else had a hard time getting enough brown material to balance out all the green waste?.

2 comments

2 Comments

wells.morgan3d ago

Whoa there, slow down with the temperature gun. You're out here celebrating 140 degrees like you just cured world hunger or something. I mean, good for you and all, but it's a pile of rotting banana peels and dead grass (not exactly rocket science). I've had a bin for two years and it's still just a wet, smelly lump that attracts raccoons (so that's fun). Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't the whole point of composting just to not throw stuff in the trash? Feels like you're turning a glorified trash can into a chemistry exam.

nathan_foster603d ago

Sure it's not rocket science, but getting that pile hot actually fixes the smelly raccoon magnet problem you're dealing with." "A wet, stinky lump means it's too wet and needs more browns, once you balance it right the smell disappears and the critters lose interest.