Ammonia Smell in Gardens: Causes and Solutions
Have you ever noticed an unpleasant ammonia smell coming from your compost pile or garden bed? Ammonia is a common problem for home gardeners, but don’t worry, it’s usually easy to fix.
What is Ammonia?
Ammonia is a gas that has a strong, pungent odor. It’s produced when organic matter breaks down in the absence of oxygen.
Why Does My Compost/Garden Smell Like Ammonia?
When organic matter, such as food scraps or yard waste, is composted in an oxygen-poor environment, it can release ammonia. This can happen if the compost pile is too wet, too compact, or not turned often enough.
Treating Ammonia Smell in Compost
Adding Oxygen
The best way to eliminate ammonia smell in compost is to add more oxygen. You can do this by:
- Turning the compost pile regularly
- Adding dry materials, such as straw or shredded cardboard
- Reducing the amount of nitrogen-rich materials, such as grass clippings
- Aerating the compost pile with a compost aerator
Balancing the Compost
If your compost is too rich in nitrogen, you can add carbon-rich materials to balance it out. Carbon-rich materials include:
- Dry leaves
- Wood chips
- Straw
- Hay
Avoiding Nitrogen-Rich Materials
Once the ammonia smell has dissipated, avoid adding more nitrogen-rich materials to the compost pile until it is balanced.
Treating Ammonia Smell in Garden Beds
Sour Mulch
Purchased mulch and compost may not have been fully processed, leading to anaerobic odors such as ammonia. If you spread this mulch around your plants, they can become adversely affected and may even die.
To fix this problem, rake or dig out any areas where sour mulch has been applied and pile up the bad soil. Add carbon to the mixture weekly and turn the pile frequently.
Soil pH
Extreme ammonia odors in garden beds can also be a sign of low soil pH. Soil with a pH below 3.5 is harmful to most plants. You can use a soil test kit to check the pH of your soil. If the pH is too low, you can add lime to raise it.
Other Solutions
Chemical Treatments
Industrial treatment plants use chemicals like hydrogen peroxide and chlorine to balance bio-solids and compost organic materials. However, these chemicals should not be used by the average homeowner.
Water and Lime
Treating common ammonia odors in the home landscape can be done by simply applying liberal amounts of water to leach the soil. You can also add lime to increase the soil pH.
Sterilization
Sterilizing the soil by covering it with black plastic mulch in the summer heat can kill the bacteria that are releasing the ammonia odor.
Conclusion
Ammonia smell in gardens and compost piles is a common problem, but it’s usually easy to fix. By following the tips in this article, you can eliminate the ammonia smell and create a healthy environment for your plants.
