Composting is a simple process, but everyone is bound to have some questions along the way. Below are the answers to some of the more commonly asked questions.

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Q: What if the pile is not decomposing?
A: Chances are, decomposition is happening. It may just be slow. This could be due to a number of reasons including:

• The pile is too wet - turn the pile and add dry materials such as leaves or shredded newspaper.
• The pile is too dry - water the pile and add wet ingredients such as food scraps, manure or grass clippings.
• The pile is too small - add more material.

Q: What if the pile smells like ammonia?
A: The pile may not have enough dry ingredients. Try adding leaves, straw, or shredded newspaper.

Q: What if the pile is attracting animals?
A: Most likely, the animals are after meat, dairy products, peanut butter, or other fatty foods. Try not to add these leftovers to the pile.