It smells funky ...

1. ‣Cover thoroughly with extra leaves or other browns.  The smell is happening because anaerobic (live in water) bacteria are taking over; keep your pile damp, but not wet.
   

2. ‣If a lot of citrus, sprinkle some limestone or wood ashes to reduce the acidity.
   

I’m worried about rodents ....

1. ‣The main trick is to keep the pile covered - with browns or with a lid - and not smelly.
   

2. ‣If they are determined, and your pile has things they can smell and really want, squirrels can chew through just about any container.  Metal hardware cloth is your best defense.
   

Will it blow around?

1. ‣Not if kept damp.
   

Seems like it is taking forever ....

1. ‣Especially during cold weather, this will be true!
   

2. ‣Mix in some cow manure to heat up the pile - and note that this will smell initially.
   

Got more Questions?  send them to us and we’ll post them here.

We NOW HAVE finished, local compost available for sale!

Unless you’re a commercial buyer (like a landscaping contractor), you can’t buy compost from any other local commercial composting businesses. You can, however, use your own compost, bargain with your neighbors to use the finished compost on your block, or work to develop composting at your community garden site.

The Fairmount Park Commission composts leaves and makes that, as well as wood chips and horse manure, available to the public at its Recycling Center (shown at right).  Individual residents may pick it up for free; they now charge landscapers and commercial users.