Putting Citrus Peels in Your Compost Pile

Question:

Can you put orange or grapefruit peels in your compost pile?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Peggy from Chillicothe, OH

Answer:

Yes, definitely!

You can successfully compost all types of fruit and vegetable peelings from the kitchen. Meat scraps, dairy products, and high-fat foods like salad dressings and peanut butter can be composted too, but it is generally better to avoid them. They produce a rancid smell when decomposing that repels neighbors and attracts animals.

To speed up decomposition, food scraps should be chopped or cut up into small pieces and eggshells crushed. Here are some examples of items that can be composted. Some of them may surprise you:

Food Waste (cooked & raw)

Breads, candy, coffee grounds (& non-bleached filters), eggshells, fruit & vegetable peelings, microwaveable popcorn bags, Popsicle sticks, nuts, paper food wraps & ice cream boxes, paper plates, napkins and towels, pasta, pizza boxes, tea leaves & tea bags, muffin liners, and wine corks.

Yard Waste

Brush, grass clippings (not chemically treated), hay & straw, leaves, pine cones/needles, plants, roots, sawdust and wood shavings, twigs & branches, weeds (not recommended).

Other Waste

Shredded cardboard, dust bunnies, feathers, human hair, newspaper, etc.

Happy composting!

Ellen