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Compost QuestionHello 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
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Treacodactyl
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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.
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dougal
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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.)
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Treacodactyl
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| 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? 
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dougal
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Perhaps that would be more successful.
The smell is supposed to persuade them to "go" elsewhere...
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mochyn
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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!
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cab
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We throw citrus peel onto the compost heap, and the heap is covered in flies. So what?
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otatop
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Why not candy the citrus peel instead. Candied orange peel is especially good covered with dark chocolate.
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cab
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| 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.
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tawny owl
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| 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!
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Bugs
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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?
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cab
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| tawny owl wrote: |
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! |
Precisely, they're only fruit flies, so they're doing little harm. A little offputting when one comes to 'water' the heap, perhaps...
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tahir
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| cab wrote: | | A little offputting when one comes to 'water' the heap, perhaps... |
Definitely, don't let it put me off though.
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cab
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| tahir wrote: |
Definitely, don't let it put me off though. |
I just try not to think about them watching.
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Bugs
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Is it my imagination or do you two take any opportunity to revive these disturbing images? 
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cab
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| Bugs wrote: | | Is it my imagination or do you two take any opportunity to revive these disturbing images? |
It's just your imagination. I wonder why you imagine that.
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tahir
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| cab wrote: | | It's just your imagination. I wonder why you imagine that. |
It's a worry isn't it?
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Andrea
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| dougal wrote: | | Anyone had any luck with using citrus peel to keep cats out of the veg plot? |
I've not used it outside before but as it's only effective whilst it's scented, I'd imagine it would dry out too quickly to be of any great use.
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Treacodactyl
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| Bugs wrote: | | 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? |
Nope, and when it's dry it does burn very well due to the oils.
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Bugs
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| tahir wrote: | | cab wrote: | | It's just your imagination. I wonder why you imagine that. |
It's a worry isn't it? |
The things I have to put up with  - I shall go somewhere I'm appreciated I tell you
I wonder if you have a blender if you blended the skins to a pulp would the scent last a bit longer as the deterrent Dougal is looking for? If nothing else it would compost quicker. Not sure blending stuff to compost is ecologically sound though
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