We hope our blunders (large and small) are helpful for you!
Keep extra browns around
It is inevitable that the compost will be put on the back burner and an unpleasant smell will arise in the compost. By having a bin or pile of extra browns (sawdust, leaves, shredded paper, etc.), you are one mix away from helping elevate the smell and keep the neighbors happy 🙂
Have an area to trench planned out, just in case.
If worried about ‘messing it up’ on your first go round, or life gets busy and the greens pile is a little too much for the compost bin: toss it in a trench, cover with dirt, let nature do its thing, and get ready for the next round in the compost bin.
Keep Rodents Out
Rodents and wildlife have great noses to find food waste, but most don’t like the compost once a level of ‘rot’ has taken place. To keep these natural scavengers from hanging around the compost bin there are multiple options:
- Shred/grind waste before adding to compost bin. There is more surface area for bacteria to access if the pieces are smaller, thus decomposition is quicker.
- Line the edges of the compost bin with older decomposing matter and place ‘new’ food waste on interior.
- Start the compost in a tumbler, then transfer to compost bin or pile after about a week. This is a great method for a cafeteria with large amounts of food waste. Not only does it help reduce the risk of scavenging, but it allows for easy stirring in the early stages when I’ve found smells can be the most um… shall we say less than optimal?