Symptom

Cause 

Solution

Pile not heating up

Lack of nitrogen

Add a nitrogen source such as fresh manure, grass clippings or blood meal. Mix the pile.

Pile needs to be turned

Mix pile by bringing outside material to the center.

Low moisture

When watering make sure the moisture gets to the center of the pile. Try poking deep holes in the pile before watering.

Compost is finished

Finished compost smells earthy rather than rotten or moldy and is dark and crumbly.

Compost is damp and only the center is warm

Pile is too small

Add more compost material.

Unpleasant odor

Too much nitrogen

Add high carbon material such as straw, pine needles, grass clippings or vegetable trimmings and aerate.

Compaction

Aerate.

Overwatering

Add dry leaves or wood chips to soak up water and aerate.