New to Composting

[mintymow]

Are all fruit and vegetable peelings suitable for going on the compost. I believe coffee grounds and tea bags are ok and even the contents of the dust bag from the hoover. Anything else?

[carlton23]

Anything that was grown originally from the earth, it`s just that somethings will take longer to decompose, so shred everything possible. It`s best not to add any soil, so cut off roots and put them in the council bin in paper bags. also, don`t add pernicious weeds with long roots like dandelions as they will grow again.

[gardenknowin]

All are fine, but don't recommend potato peelings as they can re-root and take goodness from the compost. You can wever boil up the peelings till they fall apart and they're OK then, even better mixed up with grass cuttings. It works! Sawdust from clean wood is good, as is shredded newspaper (not glossy supplements) Ink in newsprint helps to break down other items. Pastry, old cakes, breadcrumbs, cold pasta, egg-shells all good too

[danchip]

you need to layer whatever your putting in the compost, they are generally divided into two groups green and brown

green being, food/garden waste
brown being, shredded newspaper,cardboard and even shredded branches

for best results you would put a green layer then a brown layer then green then brown and continue like that

[Lonnie]

The heat the rotting compost gives out, will kill only some seeds, don't put Tomatoes in, or they'll come up wherever you spread the compost.

If your using a bin, then Chicken bones are good,

[darcydark]

I f your compost bin is in your garden near your house, beware putting food of any kind into it as this will attract rats. Fruit, veg, tea bags etc no problem, though if you are a gardener the tea bags torn open for faster action and put on the soil around your plants and shrubs will be a great asset, likewise cold tea, even plants in pots, outdoor ones anyway.

[frankofile]

The main problem with egg shells is that they take yonks to break down, so crush well