Is it safe to add peelings from shop bought potatoes to my compost heap? Obviously, I wouldn't add anything that looks diseased... but still wondered if there was a risk of spreading nasties. Same question for onions too.
I have always added both, but recently read on here that onion skins can reduce the worm population so I have stopped adding the onions. I think potatoes are ok, but may be corrected...
Interesting question dandelion, I think this is a matter of personal choice. In terms of what you compost, I don't think there's any veg matter I'd exclude from my compost bin except for whole potatoes and diseased veg, especially brassicas. I compost perennial weeds in a special heap, then leave the heap for a couple of years. So far so good ::)
If you are pure organic, you would shun any non organic waste. I put organic and non-organic, shop bought veg waste e.g. peelings, melon skin, onion skins, bought butternut squash skin, fruit skins, salad etc. into my compost bin ;D. Others won't because of potential contamination by chemicals in the above. Depends if you want to maintain high organic standards, or are prepared to compromise to make use of your veggie waste. I do the latter.
I wasn't worried about chemicals, more things like scab and blight... I do plan to garden organically, and eventually I'm hoping that all the waste will come from my own veg, but in the meantime I'm happy to add waste from shop bought veg. I need all the compost I can get!
Hey I'm on 98 posts. I wonder if I'll become a Sr member at 100?
This is the thread I was thinking of, seems onion skins are not so bad after all, sorry!
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,26/topic,16339.0
Congrats dandelion, and your avatar is superbe! Cheers me up every time I look at it.
My local starbucks provide all the compost I need in the form of coffee grounds. It's wonderful stuff, see if your local branch will save their bags for a week and let you collect them to your heart's content ;D
http://starbucks.co.uk/en-GB/_Our+Stores/_Community+Programs/Grounds+For+Your+Garden.htm
Thanks supersprout. Will check if there's a Starbucks locally. Never took any notice myself, because I don't drink coffee.
Should be on 100 now...
(edited)
Aha Full member!
Congrats on being a full member. Will investigate our local Starbucks Supersprout, thanks for that, like Dandelion I need all the compost I can get!
On the issue of potato peelings and onions, is it not a case of everything in moderation. My own compost heap has these ingredients, and it seems quite normal, but I would imagine if I had an excess, eg the peelings from a local chip shop for instance, then I might expect to encounter some abnormalities.
On the observation of posting status, you appear close to becoming a God, tulippa !
I think you're right Curry -I don't put onions in the worm bin as only food goes in there and it might be a bit mutch (same with citrus peelings I suppose they don't like the acid)- but I don't worry about the compost heap as the dilution is much higher.
J