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Smiler

Joined: 25 Jul 2005
Posts: 9
Location: West Norfolk

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 05 7:03 pm Post subject: Compost Question
Hello all, Am I right in thinking I can't compost citrus fruit peel???? I am sure I read somewhere that it was a no no but I have looked everywhere and now wonder if I made it up?? So citrus good or citrus bad? Thanks Smiler

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 05 7:09 pm Post subject:
They say it can make the heap too acidic and attract fruit flies. However, I garden on chalk so add as much peel as possible and not noticed any problem. If you throw out whole fruit make sure it is chopped up. If the heap get's too acidic then leave it out or add lime. If it's not a large amount I'd just add it.

dougal

Joined: 15 Jan 2005
Posts: 7184
Location: South Kent

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 05 9:12 pm Post subject:
But half grapefruit skins are ideal slug "refuges". In quotes because its only a temporary refuge until you come looking... Anyone had any luck with using citrus peel to keep cats out of the veg plot? ("Deferred success" (in current PC jargon) for me.)

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 05 9:37 pm Post subject:

dougal wrote:

Anyone had any luck with using citrus peel to keep cats out of the veg plot?

Do you mean throwing whole fruits at 'em?

dougal

Joined: 15 Jan 2005
Posts: 7184
Location: South Kent

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 05 9:41 pm Post subject:
Perhaps that would be more successful. The smell is supposed to persuade them to "go" elsewhere...

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 05 5:55 am Post subject:
Small amounts (probably less than 1%) of citrus seem to pose no problem. I chuck in peel, whole fruit (from the shop's waste) and the scraps left from curd-making: no probs with flies and it turns out cracking compost! I also put in plenty (up to a third) of paper/card, screwed up and wetted. As for slugs, I now have a slug bucket into which go all the slugs I find as presents for the ducks!

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 05 7:56 am Post subject:
We throw citrus peel onto the compost heap, and the heap is covered in flies. So what?

otatop

Joined: 01 Jun 2005
Posts: 1425
Location: North London

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 05 8:38 am Post subject:
Why not candy the citrus peel instead. Candied orange peel is especially good covered with dark chocolate.

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 05 9:30 am Post subject:

otatop wrote:

Why not candy the citrus peel instead. Candied orange peel is especially good covered with dark chocolate.

Because I can't eat that much candied peel

More to the point, a lot of it is already zested by the time if goes on the compost heap.

tawny owl

Joined: 29 Apr 2005
Posts: 563
Location: Hampshire

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 05 2:13 pm Post subject:

cab wrote:

We throw citrus peel onto the compost heap, and the heap is covered in flies. So what?

They're probably only fruit flies anyway, and they're useful for composting. I bung all my citrus on there too, but only after the peels have spent a few days in a bowl on the lav windowsill, making it smell all citrusy!

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 05 2:30 pm Post subject:
I think...we have let peel dry out for a few days then used it as a firelighter/fuel...am I making that up TD?

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 05 2:39 pm Post subject:

tawny owl wrote:

Precisely, they're only fruit flies, so they're doing little harm. A little offputting when one comes to 'water' the heap, perhaps...

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 05 2:41 pm Post subject:

cab wrote:

A little offputting when one comes to 'water' the heap, perhaps...

Definitely, don't let it put me off though.

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 05 2:50 pm Post subject:

tahir wrote:

Definitely, don't let it put me off though.

I just try not to think about them watching.

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 05 2:51 pm Post subject:
Is it my imagination or do you two take any opportunity to revive these disturbing images?

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