Turning Helps Destroy Undesirables Turning helps destroy undesirables such as weed seeds, insect larvae, and disease-causing organisms by exposing them to the lethal temperatures at the center of the pile. Turning also helps maintain the active population of beneficial microbes by providing more food at the active center of the compost system. Bad odor is an indication that there is an imbalance in your compost system. Turn the pile at the first sign of offensive odor or ammonia smells. Turning Breaks Up Clumps and Layers Clumping or matting down can cause pockets in your compost system where oxygen cannot penetrate.
Anaerobic microbes produce smelly gasses as a by-product of decomposition.
Turning breaks up clumps and matted layers in the compost and allows oxygen to penetrate. Therefore, to create a better end product, break up all the clumps of material when turning the compost. Many people wonder how to create finished compost if they are always adding materials to the compost bin. The secret is to make composting a batch process. Earthworms and other invertebrates will assist with this process.