What Kitchen Scraps Should Not Go in Your Garden Compost Pile

When it comes to composting, many materials from your kitchen waste are perfectly suitable for a healthy compost pile. However, there are certain scraps that should be avoided to ensure the best results and environmental benefits. This article will explore which kitchen scraps should not go in the garden compost, focusing on specifics such as citrus fruits, meat products, and animal feces.

Citrus and Animal Pet Byproducts

While most kitchen scraps can be composted, certain items are better left out of your compost pile to avoid potential issues and ensure optimal decomposition. Citrus fruits, particularly their peels, can potentially inhibit the composting process due to their high acidity and d-l-Limonene content. According to studies, d-l-Limonene can act as a natural insecticide, which might initially seem beneficial. However, in practice, this natural compound does not typically cause a significant problem in a well-managed compost pile. Your garden worms and other decomposers will quite happily munch on tangerine peels and other citrus peels, turning them into beneficial compost.

Animal pet byproducts, such as meat fats, bones, feces, and cat or rabbit litter, require special handling. If your pet is a herbivore, the feces can be composted, but it's essential to ensure the compost is fully mature before using it. Meats and bones should not be composted, as they can attract vermin and take a very long time to decompose. Cat litter is another item to avoid, as it can introduce harmful chemicals or parasites into your compost.

Other Items to Avoid

In addition to citrus and animal pet byproducts, there are other kitchen scraps that should generally be avoided in your compost pile:

Salty snacks: These can introduce high levels of salt, which can harm your composting microorganisms. Cooking oils and shortenings: These processed fats can slow down the composting process and also attract pests. Onions and spicy foods: These can be problematic in a cold composting technique, such as vermicomposting, as they can disrupt the microbial balance in the pile.

While these items generally should not be added to your garden compost, there are exceptions. For example, if you have a hot compost pile that reaches high temperatures, some of these items can be added and will not significantly impact the composting process. However, try to avoid these items in smaller composters like tumblers, as they can be problematic to manage.

Safe Kitchen Scraps for Composting

Fortunately, most of your kitchen scraps can be composted safely. The following are suitable for your compost pile:

Fruit peels and vegetable scraps Used coffee grounds and tea leaves Leftover cornmeal or flour Eggshells (crushed for easier breakdown)

These items provide a balanced mix of carbon and nitrogen, which is ideal for composting. When added properly, they will decompose efficiently and contribute to healthy soil.

Conclusion

While some kitchen scraps should be avoided in your garden compost pile, the majority can be recycled with proper setup and techniques. By understanding which items to avoid and which are safe to include, you can create a thriving compost pile that will enrich your garden soil. Always ensure that your compost pile is managed correctly to achieve the best results and minimize potential issues.