Fixing Sour Compost: Using Baking Soda to Neutralize Acidity

Fixing Sour Compost: Using Baking Soda to Neutralize Acidity

If your compost has become too acidic (sour), it can hinder decomposition and harm plants when applied.

Remedy

1. Dissolve ½ small box of baking soda in a couple gallons of water.
2. Pour over the compost pile, thoroughly soaking it.
3. Let sit for several hours to a day.
4. Spread the compost out to dry for a day.
5. Till or turn into garden soil.

This “sweetens” the compost by raising pH. If the pile is too far gone, you may need to discard it and start fresh.

Going forward, turn the pile regularly and balance green (nitrogen) and brown (carbon) materials to maintain active, aerobic decomposition.