Monroe County Master Gardener Association

If you compost and find an odor comming from it…here are some tips:

Sulfur Smell:  Your pile may be too wet and it lacks oxygen.  Aerate the pile by turning and let the pile dry out or add more dry material to it.

Ammonia Smell:  Chances are your kitchen scraps are not covered.  Add some carbon-rich material like brown leaves and turn the pile.

Sewage Smell:  If it attracts some files and is smelling like sewage, you may have too much nitrogen.  Bury any scraps in the center of the pile and cover it with soil or brown materials such as leaves.