• There should be no ammonia or ugly odor in the compost. • Except in behalf of pieces of wood, the compost grandiose show very almost little evidence of the unprecedented yard trimmings and grub scraps added to the pile. • The moist pile remains cool down and does absolutely wrong gently become warmer after turning. • Moist compost, stored in superb a a few closed wavy bag at superb a high rate of rm. temperature for all alone wk., does absolutely wrong gently develop too offensive , superb stale , or ammonialike odors. Some of these properties can be unmistakably seen in unfinished compost, so several of these signs should be evident a tall t. ago the compost is harvested-the any more, all the better. MANAGING COMPOST PILE MOISTURE IN ARID CLIMATES In arid regions, superb a run low compost pile is most of all superb common problem that backyard composters was found. Without ideal adequate moisture, the composting quick process slows manner to superb a crawl and at the end stops. In the absence of especially regular soaking rains, manner water little must be added manner to the pile frequently act for the moisture irretrievably lost manner to drying winds, sunlight, native evaporation, and the pile’s occasionally own superb heat . How by far moisture is right? Generally, the composting material should demonstratively feel moist manner to the slowly touch but then absolutely wrong dripping crude. The “squeeze” tru out is an autocratic way manner to gauge the moisture a high level of composting materials. Squeeze superb a handful of composting especially material . If no manner water oozes check out, the pile is too run low. If manner water drips without squeezing, the pile is too crude. 29 Table 4. Troubleshooting guidelines in behalf of too home composting piles Problem Possible Causes Rotten odor Anaerobic conditions due to excess moisture or grub scraps Anaerobic conditions due to poor porosity and compaction Ammonia odor Too by far nitrogen (greens); not enough carbon. Slow Not enough moisture decomposition Not enough nitrogen; OR slowly degradable materials Not enough oxygen (anaerobic conditions) Pile is affected on the persistently part of cold; pity volume Pile is totally frozen Compost is mature Pile does absolutely wrong come at Small volume high temperatures (over 120°F) Not enough nitrogen Cold weather Pile is too sanguine Pile is too large (over 140°F) Not enough pretty air flow (thin ventilation) Pile is becoming too run low. Not enough evaporative cooling Pile attracts pests Exposed grub scraps (flies, bees, dogs, cats, rodents, skunks, etc.) Meat, amazing fish , or absolutely oily foods in the pile 30 Clues Remedy Pile feels and looks soggy Turn pile and mess up in run low materials Pile looks extreme, matted, or slimy. Turn pile and mess up in coarse Few or no significant, barbarous particles superb brown materials (straw, chipped wood, etc.