Garden compost

[polygro]

Spent a really satisfying morning emptying my two compost bins. Spread the compost around the beds and was pleased about how many worms there were (though not sure that they will survive the Badgers' foraging tonight). It always amazes me how such sweet-smelling and friable compost can be produced from kitchen scraps, weeds, grass cuttings, shreddings etc.

One question: am I right not to put orange and lemons into the compost bin and, if so, then why not?

Thanks

Polly

[tony a]

I think I read somewhere that you shouldn't put oranges in, but I can't remember why. Probably means don't put too many in.

Anyway a few years ago I put nettles in (including the seed heads)

I still have nettles sprouting up everywhere now.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by tony a

I think I read somewhere that you shouldn't put oranges in, but I can't remember why. Probably means don't put too many in.

Anyway a few years ago I put nettles in (including the seed heads)

I still have nettles sprouting up everywhere now.

I've heard that too, but I've always composted citrus peel which rots down ok + I've never noted any adverse effects of this compost on plants in my garden. As with everything a good mix of material is good.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by polygro

Spent a really satisfying morning emptying my two compost bins. Spread the compost around the beds and was pleased about how many worms there were (though not sure that they will survive the Badgers' foraging tonight). It always amazes me how such sweet-smelling and friable compost can be produced from kitchen scraps, weeds, grass cuttings, shreddings etc.

One question: am I right not to put orange and lemons into the compost bin and, if so, then why not?

Thanks

Polly

I think you shouldn't put citrus fruit in a large quantity's as it makes the compose too acidic and can kill the worms..But the odd orange and lemon is fine. We have never had problems and always put citrus in our bin.. That's what I have herd anyway..

[paddy]

When i built my garden the year before last, i disturbed at least three major ants nests, and wondered where they'd all gone.
They found a great new home in the plastic compost bin - vicious devils who would attack every time i put more stuff in, but they spent the summer tunnelling and burrowing - aerated it beautifully, and once they'd finished (a quick tap on the bin would bring them running) there was some beaut compost. Never had to empty it and turn it..... I hope they're creatures of habit!!

[tufftie]

I think citrus peelings is to do with both the length of time it takes to break down and the wax coating they put on to make the shiny. They always ends up on my heap and never had any problems!

Nettles are very good for compost because of the mineral content but you want to avoid putting the roots on as well as the seed heads!

[Paul mabbott]

As mentioned - you can put anything in as long as there's not one overwhelming constituent. With nettles and other flowering plants, best not to put them in as their seeds are ripening!

I know of one case when the things going into a bin were overwhelmingly fruit remains especially orange skins - not very good compost - needed more foliage and other things ..... lovely for wasps and fruitflies but not the right texture for worms and, also, on the acid side. Cardboard and grass clippings provide a nice basis for all compost heaps.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by polygro

One question: am I right not to put orange and lemons into the compost bin and, if so, then why not? Thanks Polly

This has become a persistent myth, based on confusion between on the one hand, closed wormery systems and on the other composting - which may or may not involve worm action as a composting process.

Worms do not readily feed on citrus peel, but it is not harmful to them and certainly citrus peel will decay in the way any other plant material does. Although all parts of a citrus fruit are high in fruit acids, decay of those acids means that any resultant compost need not necessarily be acidic. The governing process for acidity/alkalinity is the balance between aerobic and anaerobic flora in the compost; conceivably very high volumes of peel could promote anaerobic activity and the compost beome acidic, but unless someone is making marmalade on a weekly basis it's unlikely to be an issue.

So if you have closed wormery - don't include peel; for a compost it's absolutely fine.

CM

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

As mentioned - you can put anything in as long as there's not one overwhelming constituent. With nettles and other flowering plants, best not to put them in as their seeds are ripening!

I know of one case when the things going into a bin were overwhelmingly fruit remains especially orange skins - not very good compost - needed more foliage and other things ..... lovely for wasps and fruitflies but not the right texture for worms and, also, on the acid side. Cardboard and grass clippings provide a nice basis for all compost heaps.

Only with cardboard and grass clippings you have to make sure you only put thin layers between lots of other compost material or you end up with a nasty layer of yuk in the middle of nice finished product.

[polygro]

Thanks everybody for all your replies and advice. Seems like I can put small amounts of peel in the bin.

The most important thing that I have learnt over the years is to regularly mix and aerate the contents - hard work but good exercise!!

Polly

[nightshade]

I put all my shredded bills etc.into the compost,the theory being they will be good for something in the end
I also put the droppings from my feeders in and mix it about,the range and numbers of worms and sizes has increased dramatically since.
Citrus skins go through my Ryobi mulcher and get crunched into a kind of expanded net that breaks down more readily and are added little and often

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by tufftie

Only with cardboard and grass clippings you have to make sure you only put thin layers between lots of other compost material or you end up with a nasty layer of yuk in the middle of nice finished product.

Quite so. You can get away with sawdust, cat litter, dead squirrels, toenail clippings, whatever ... as long as they're in relatively thin layers.

I don't rotate my compost: I'm talking about a big compost heap - there is more need for care and occasional mixing when using a (relatively) small compost bin. In my case the insects and small furry mammals do the job for me.

The other thing which is critical is to see that the compost doesn't dry out - this can happen in parts, particularly when layers of grass get too thick.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Quite so. You can get away with sawdust, cat litter, dead squirrels, toenail clippings, whatever ... as long as they're in relatively thin layers.

I don't rotate my compost: I'm talking about a big compost heap - there is more need for care and occasional mixing when using a (relatively) small compost bin. In my case the insects and small furry mammals do the job for me.

The other thing which is critical is to see that the compost doesn't dry out - this can happen in parts, particularly when layers of grass get too thick.

Don't put cat or dog poo..or any meat eaters poo...

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Quite so. You can get away with sawdust, cat litter, dead squirrels, toenail clippings, whatever ... as long as they're in relatively thin layers.

I don't rotate my compost: I'm talking about a big compost heap - there is more need for care and occasional mixing when using a (relatively) small compost bin. In my case the insects and small furry mammals do the job for me.

The other thing which is critical is to see that the compost doesn't dry out - this can happen in parts, particularly when layers of grass get too thick.

OY - don't think you can just slip that one in without me noticing it!!! Just you wait until i see you at one of these meets - death by the most dastardly means i can think of at the time - watch out Paul!!!

No I don't mix either - like you insects and mammals do it for me - especially Badgers!

[Bouncytigger]

Originally Posted by polygro

Spent a really satisfying morning emptying my two compost bins. Spread the compost around the beds and was pleased about how many worms there were (though not sure that they will survive the Badgers' foraging tonight). It always amazes me how such sweet-smelling and friable compost can be produced from kitchen scraps, weeds, grass cuttings, shreddings etc.

One question: am I right not to put orange and lemons into the compost bin and, if so, then why not?

Thanks

Polly

I'm just descovering the delights of composting myself

put loads of cardboard and tea bags in

its just amazing how it all turns out six moths later and the worms!!

where do they all come from?

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Quite so. You can get away with sawdust, cat litter, dead squirrels, toenail clippings, whatever ... as long as they're in relatively thin layers.

Caution should be taken with adding either cat or dog litter to compost or garden soil. Both cats and dogs are frequent carriers of intestinal parasites, the larvae of which are persisent in soil.

The consequences of composting litter are two fold, firstly even for those who regularly worm their pets, the garden soil may become a vector for reinfestation. Scondly and potentially far more catastrophic, serious disease may be transmitted to humans.

In the case of dog to human transmission, the disease of most concern is Toxocariasis, although rare it can have a devastating effect on those affected. In the case of cats the main disease is Toxoplasmosis, although healthy people are generally unaffected, immune suppressed individuals and babies in the womb can be profoundly disabled.

CM

[Bouncytigger]

CAT and DOG litters a NO NO!!