Slimy grass layer

01Symptom

A black, slippery layer of grass in the middle of the pile, with a sewage-like smell when it is broken open.

1 published log ran into this — linked in section 04.

02Why it happens

03What to do

1. 01 Break the layer up and mix it through the pile with dry carbon.
2. 02 Never add grass in layers above 10 cm; mix each addition with cardboard or leaves.
3. 03 Dry clippings for a day on a tarp before use if you have the space.
4. 04 Add 600 g of torn cardboard for every 1 kg of fresh clippings.

04Where this has come up in the logs

• methodCold composting: the pile that takes a year and needs almost nothing08 Oct 2026 · wire bay · 35:1 · 29 °C

05Related logs

• batch logSummer grass clippings balanced with corrugated cardboard01 Sep 2026 · wire bay · 30:1 · 68 °C