Symptoms and causes Nothing is happening Temperature in the bin falls Look at your heap - it could be slow for 3 main reasons - is it too dry, too wet, or too cold ? The two most likely reasons are, slow because of too much grass cuttings, so it is too wet, or because of too much woody stuff, so it is too dry (or, that woody pieces are too big - shred then - fungi cannot jump !) The organisms that make compost have slowed down because conditiions are not favourable

Possible Solutions Balance up excess grasscuttings with an equal amount of shredded paper or torn up cardboard Woody materials compost slowly - shred them so they are smaller, and add more nitrogen (20% urine in 1 gallon water, or the water from comfrey or nettles soaked for a month) Compost will decompose slower in winter - insulate your heap with more layers of carpet or bubblewrap on the top Turn the heap for more even decompostion The compost may be ready ! Re-compost any woody stuff, and use the good stuff !

Remember
Compost can take from 4 weeks to 2 years to be ready, depending on the amounts of greens and browns
The organisms that make compost need a balance of water, air, and warmth to thrive. And, they need something to eat !!

And, read our general compost information pages