My pile is composting very slowly. This can be due to a combination of factors such as: if your pile is too small, too dry, too wet, or isn't getting enough air. Add materials, turn the compost and check to see how wet it is.

My compost pile isn't hot. Your pile should hold heat. If not it may be too small or too dry. Add green materials and check to see that it is wet enough. If your pile has been around for awhile it may be compost.

My compost pile smells like ammonia. The pile may be too wet; turn it. The pile may have too much nitrogen-rich "green" material; add brown materials, such as dead leaves or sawdust.

My pile attracts animals like raccoons and mice. Do not put meat, oil or dairy products in your pile. Keep other food wastes buried in the middle of the pile. It may help to have an enclosed bin with a lid.

My pile attracts insects, like flies. Be sure to bury your food waste deep in the middle of the pile. Cover these wastes with leaves or newspaper.

There are large pieces in my compost that don't seem to be decomposing. Break down waste into smaller pieces, particularly woody materials. Also, you can use these materials as the base layer for your next compost pile.

Visit the Compost Garden: The Compost Demonstration Garden is located at the Flathead County Landfill. The Compost Garden has more than a dozen different home compost bins, including three worm bins. The garden is open for self-guided tours during regular landfill hours. If you are interested in a guided tour, have a school or community group you would like to bring to the site, or are interested in learning more or volunteering, please contact the Waste Not Project at 756-8993.

Source: Some of the text on this topic is adapted from King County, Washington Web pages and http://www.reduce.org. There are many Web sites and books on composting. This page is designed to give you the basics; we encourage you to dig further for more information

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