September 3, 2025, 9:03 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Is your compost pile at risk of overflowing? Yeast might be the solution to this problem. When dissolved and poured over the compost, yeast can work wonders. myHOMEBOOK gardening expert Franka Kruse-Gering explains how to easily make a compost accelerator from yeast using just a few ingredients.
How to Turn Your Organic Waste into Valuable Soil Faster
If your compost pile seems to be getting bigger and bigger, it’s time to come up with a plan. It’s generally advisable to have not just one, but at least two or even three piles. It takes time for biological waste to turn into valuable soil. However, you can speed up the decomposition process with yeast, sugar, and water. These three inexpensive ingredients can be used to easily create a natural compost accelerator.
What You Need for the Compost Accelerator:
- A cube of fresh yeast
- One kilogram of sugar
- Ten liters of water
- A bucket for mixing
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How to Mix Your Own Compost Accelerator
The yeast and sugar must be completely dissolved in the water. It’s easier if you start with just a little water and then fill it up to ten liters. It’s recommended to use lukewarm water to dissolve the yeast and sugar. Then the compost accelerator is ready to use.
Note: Plan for one cube of yeast per cubic meter of compost.
Why Does the Compost Accelerator with Yeast Work So Well?
Normally, microorganisms handle the decomposition of organic waste in the compost. However, they usually take a long time. The yeast fungi are washed directly into the deeper layers of the pile with the help of water. They multiply quickly and significantly, generating heat in the compost. This heat stimulates the breakdown of organic material. Additionally, small creatures like earthworms, woodlice, or beetles are attracted, further aiding the decomposition process, according to the Verband Wohneigentum.