Savita's Compost Clinic: Expert Answers & Solutions

Understanding the quality of your cocopeat is crucial. I explain what Electrical Conductivity (EC) means, which is essentially the salt content. For good compost, you need cocopeat with a low EC, so always buy from a reputed vendor.

While hygiene is important, you should never wash the inside of your composter after harvesting. Doing so destroys the beneficial microbial colonies that have built up. These microbes are essential for kickstarting your next batch of compost quickly.

Here is a simple trick for better aeration and moisture control. Place hard, fibrous materials like corn cobs or woody stems at the bottom of your composter. They create air pockets, prevent excess moisture buildup, and consequently reduce maggots.

In nature, nothing goes to waste. Stems and stalks from your kitchen are wonderful additions to your composter. They not only add nutrients but also improve aeration by preventing the pile from compacting, helping the microbes to breathe.

The filter fabric that comes with the EVA composter kit is a small but vital component. Placing it at the bottom of the inner shell prevents the tap from clogging, which in turn ensures proper drainage and prevents issues like bad odor or excess maggots.

For those using my EVA Home Composter, here is a quick tip on cleaning the filter fabric. Simply wash and reuse it, as it is designed to last for years. If you do not have one, any porous cotton fabric will work just as well.

The heat inside a composter is a sign of magic at work. After a rain, the temperature inside my EVA composter shot up to nearly 50 degrees Celsius. This is the work of thermophilic bacteria breaking down the waste, a key stage in the aerobic composting process.

When your composter is active, it produces a nutrient-rich liquid called compost tea. This is the excess moisture that drains from the pile. You can collect it from the tap and dilute it to use as a potent liquid fertilizer for your plants.