Compost Recipe & Troubleshooter — Free Tool

 

Turn scraps into finished compost. Get a precise carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) mix, moisture target, and step-by-step fixes for odor, pests, soggy texture, or cold piles. Print your recipe and turning schedule in seconds.

• Exact recipe from the materials you have
• Instant fixes (odor, pests, too wet/dry, no heat)
• Print a checklist and week-by-week schedule
Free • No signup • Field-tested temps (131–160°F / 55–71°C)

Build Your Recipe

Fix a Compost Problem

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Quick answer

Healthy compost balances a C:N ratio around 25–30:1, moisture near 50–60%, steady airflow, and appropriate particle size. This page gives you a tailored recipe and clear corrections so your pile heats quickly, smells clean, and finishes reliably.

Key takeaways

• Enter your materials and system to get a target C:N, moisture guidance, and a simple turn timetable.
• Diagnose ammonia or rotten odors, fruit flies, soggy/dry texture, clumping grass, and cold piles—fast.
• Presets for tumblers, 3-bin systems, open heaps, and vermicompost.
• Regional tips for cold, hot/dry, rainy, and urban setups.
• Printable recipe card and shareable plan.

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Build your compost recipe

Choose your system, list your materials (bags, pounds, or gallons), and follow the recommended mix and moisture target. You’ll also get bulking suggestions (leaves, straw, shredded cardboard, wood chips) and a turn schedule you can print.

How it works (five simple steps)

1. Pick your system: tumbler, 3-bin, open heap, or vermicompost.

2. List what you have: leaves, straw, cardboard, kitchen scraps, grass, coffee grounds, aged manure.

3. Get an estimated C:N ratio and moisture target, plus bulking and water adjustments.

4. Follow the turn schedule; consult the Troubleshooter if a symptom appears.

5. Print your recipe and checklist; cure until the texture is crumbly with an earthy smell.

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Compost Troubleshooter

Ammonia smell (sharp/urine-like)

• Too much nitrogen or excess moisture. Mix in 1–2 parts dry browns (leaves/cardboard) per 1 part current mix.
• Fluff to 8–12 in (20–30 cm) deep; add coarse chips for airflow.
• If soggy, stop watering; cap with dry browns; recheck in 24–48 hours.

Rotten or anaerobic odor

• Waterlogged and air-starved. Fork in bulking chips plus shredded cardboard.
• Punch vertical air holes and turn every 2–3 days until odor clears.
• Keep covered during heavy rain.

No heat / cold pile

• Low nitrogen, too dry, too small, or cold weather.
• Add 10–20% fresh greens (grass/coffee) and mist while turning to a wrung-out sponge feel.
• Build to about 3×3×3 ft (≥1 m³) or insulate with straw bales.

Too wet / slimy

• Mix in dry leaves and coarse chips; open sides to air for 24 hours.
• Cover from rain and resume the schedule after structure returns.

Too dry / dusty

• Mist while turning—don’t pour. Aim for 50–60% moisture.
• Add moist greens in thin layers and cap with browns.

Fruit flies / gnats

• Bury food scraps 6–8 in deep and cap with 2–3× browns.
• Keep edges tidy; limit citrus in small systems.

Matted grass clumps

• Pre-dry grass 12–24 hours, or mix 1:1 with straw or chips.
• Turn more often during week one.

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Bin presets (the plan adapts to each)

Tumbler

Turn every 2–3 days; add coarse bulking to prevent compaction; check moisture frequently.

3-bin system

Build hot in Bin 1 → move to Bin 2 at peak heat (day 7–10) → cure in Bin 3 for uniform, finished compost.

Open heap

Build to ~3×3×3 ft minimum. Insulate with straw in winter and shade in peak summer.

Vermicompost (worm bin)

No hot temps. Keep bedding moist; feed small amounts often; avoid meat/dairy and strong aromatics.

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Regional & seasonal tips

Cold climates

Pre-shred inputs; build bigger; insulate sides; avoid over-watering. Expect slower heat cycles in deep winter.

Hot/dry climates

Provide shade; cover the top; mist during turns; cap with browns to reduce evaporation.

Rainy climates

Choose well-drained locations; add more bulking chips; keep piles covered to prevent anaerobic pockets.

Urban / close neighbors

Keep a browns cap, bury scraps, and consider a sealed tumbler to minimize odor and pests.

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Materials guide (quick tendencies)

Greens (nitrogen-rich)

Fresh grass, coffee grounds, kitchen scraps, alfalfa, well-aged manure.

Browns (carbon-rich)

Dry leaves, straw, shredded cardboard, aged sawdust or wood chips, paper.

Bulking agents

Coarse wood chips, small sticks, corn cobs—create oxygen channels and structure.

Moisture

Use small, even mists while turning; aim for “wrung-out sponge”—damp, not dripping.

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Field notes

• The squeeze test beats guesswork—damp, not dripping.
• Cap each addition with browns to keep odors and flies away.
• Don’t chase perfect numbers; prioritize structure and airflow. Compost forgives small errors.

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FAQ

How accurate is the C:N calculation?

It’s an estimate based on typical material ranges—enough to hit the 25–30:1 sweet spot. Verify with smell, squeeze test, and temperature.

Do I need a compost thermometer?

Helpful, but not required. Aim for 131–160°F (55–71°C) for hot compost; otherwise rely on hand-heat and the schedule.

Can I compost meat or dairy?

Not recommended in backyard systems due to odor and pests. Stick to plant materials and well-aged manures.

Is pet waste safe to compost?

Avoid dog and cat waste in food-garden compost due to pathogens. Follow local guidance for disposal.

How long does it take?

A well-built hot pile often finishes in 4–8 weeks plus curing. Cool composting takes longer. Your plan includes a tailored timeline.

What if I only have leaves and cardboard?

Add a small amount of high-nitrogen material (fresh grass, coffee grounds, alfalfa pellets) and moisten while mixing. Follow the suggested proportions.

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Build Your Recipe — Takes about 60 seconds. Copy and print your plan—no email required.