First time composer here. I started a compost bin this past spring. I have quite a bit of shaved wood from some tree cutting that we had so I tend to put kitchen scraps and then equal amount of shaved wood/dirt. I’ll put in plant cuttings as well. We have a home espresso machine and all of those grounds go in as well.
I just mixed everything up and realized that there are maggots throughout. I read online that this can be part of the decomposing process… but it’s truly gross and I’m not sure if I’m doing this right. I also discovered a mouse living there when I stirred things up.
Is it possible to recover things?
by Best-Cat-6939
22 Comments
I think you’re doing it right. The maggots will help the decomposition process, and when it’s done they’ll leave
Compost is gross. It is full of larve, bugs and worms. That is how you know it’s working. If you want a bit less gross, get a Compost tumbler bin. However you still need to get in on occasion to break up the balls that form on occasion. If you don’t it will get stinky and anaerobic.
It’s perfect
My Grand pappy used to say, “Compost ain’t purdy till it’s done.”
Think about it, at its core, compost is simply rotting, decomposing food with bugs. It looks great! Keep it up.
If you’re really concerned… pee on it.
You need to put more browns instead of equal parts. If you get a thermometer you can see how hot your compost is getting and that will deter some of the bug and animal activity in the center. Then turn it frequently to make it less hospitable to unwelcome guests. Sound like too much work? That’s okay. What you’re doing will still provide you with compost. It will just be a little grosser while it gets there.
It looks great. The bugs are the fun part 🐛
You’re doing it right! Decomposition is gross and smelly but that’s what it is. Keep going and you’ll get there eventually.
Looks good.
Compost is literally material rotting.
Nothing wrong with the maggots. It does sound like your carbon/nitrogen balance is heavy on carbon. Wood shavings and sawdust are all carbon. You want to balance that out with some nitrogen. The coffee grinds will help a tiny amount but what you really need is a strong source: manure, bloodmeal, or urine.
Did you put meat in there?
Why is everyone saying to pee on it
Chickens might like your compost. Might even help build it.
It’s literally an ecosystem. I see nothing wrong here
It’s dirt, Jenny. Things will live in it.
You’re doing just fine
Those are black soldier fly larva, and you are lucky to have them in your compost
That’s how you know it’s working
Looks like something I would toss into my compost bin.
Compost is almost never pretty. Only at the end.
“Help, there are creatures helping break down my food scraps into compost”
You need more green
Newbies panic all the time.