Expert: Greg - 4/28/2003

Question
  Have nice green grass cuttings each week. Would like to keep them for compost or bed fill but the odor is too much for wife and neihbors. Can you suggest an odor control or how to handle the cuttings.

                                   Thanks J

Answer
Hello Jerry

The Odor you smell is Ammonia, it is caused by a lack of Oxygen and Carbon within the Pile of Grass.

Pile the Grass no more than 2" thick, then add a Layer of Regular Garden Soil on top of it just enough to cover the Grass. If you have any leftover Leaves from the Fall you could add a Layer on top of that. Make sure you turn this pile over in about 2 weeks, and keep it somewhat moist but not soaking wet

The Best of Luck

Greg