My compost is wet, soggy or slimy
Three factors are usually to blame: poor aeration, too much moisture, or not enough nitrogen-rich material in the pile.
Some people think that the more you chop up your food and yard waste, the better results you'll have with your compost. While it's true that cutting things up can accelerate decomposition, too much chopping can lead to a soupy, soggy pile.
Compost can be used as a soil amendment or as a mulch. As a soil amendment, mix in two to four inches of compost to the top six to nine inches of your soil. As a mulch, loosen the top two to three inches of soil and add a three-inch layer of compost on the surface, a few inches away from plant stems and tree trunks.
DON'T add meat scraps, bones, grease, whole eggs, or dairy products to the compost pile because they decompose slowly, cause odors, and can attract rodents. DON'T add pet feces or spent cat liter to the compost pile. DON'T add diseased plant material or weeds that have gone to seed.
Maintain moisture, shade, temperature ranging between 8 to 30 degrees and proper air flow in the bed. Protect the earthworms from enemies like frogs, snakes, birds, crow, lizard and ant. Cow dung should not be hard and dry, make the dung wet and cold before using it as earthworm's feed.
Rule 1: Start with the End in Mind
With composting, it helps to have a vision of what the entire process will look like. Most of our clients use their finished compost back on their pastures or in their gardens. Others see themselves selling their compost to cover some of their operating expenses.
Having some mold in your compost is a natural and healthy thing. In fact, mold in your compost is proof that the system is working as it's supposed to. In addition to the bacteria that break your food down, mold (a type of fungus) also does this critical work.
Rust overwinters on leaves and removing them can cut the rust cycle off. Be sure and do not compost the leaves if your plants have had rust. Dispose of them in plastic bags and put those in the trash.
Phytotoxicity From Excess Minerals — Certain feedstocks can supply compost with an extra heavy load of certain minerals. Beneficial in low concentrations, some minerals cause toxicity on plants at high concentrations.
Once a week or so, aerate your pile using a compost crank or garden fork. Every now and again, add a handful of poultry manure or blood and bone, sprinkled onto a dry layer to provide a boost of nitrogen. And a little rock dust will get the worms working and provide some micronutrients.
Most expert composters suggest a moisture content of 40% to 60%. A quick, hands-on visual check should tell you if the pile is too dry: it will lack heat and there'll be little evidence of organic material break down. If you compost is too wet, it's probably slimy and smells bad.
Milk and milk products should not be put into a compost heap. Excess food or waste food items should not be used in a composting plant as it causes bacteria and fungi to grow and also attracts pests like cockroaches and rats.
Factors Affect Composting Process
Four main factors control the composting process: moisture content, nutrition (carbon:nitrogen ratio of the material), temperature and oxygen (aeration).
Compost can be prepared within a concrete tank or mud pit. Organic waste from kitchen, garden or crop fields is collected and placed in the sun for about 8-12 days. The collected waste is then kept in that pit for decomposition. A layer of soil is then put after a few layers of waste in an alternate manner.
The Best Place For a Compost Bin
The composting process happens in sun or shade (think of the forest floor — lots of composting happens there), although the process occurs more quickly in a sunny spot. Compost in the sun also tends to dry out more, so you may need to moisten the pile more often.
Citrus fruit, tomato products and pickled food products can do harm to your compost. High acidity can actually kill the good bacteria that helps break down the material in your compost pile.
Banana peels are a great ingredient for your compost or worm farm, adding lots of nutrients to the organic recycling process.