Hey fellow gardeners! I’ve noticed there’s been lots of confusion about whether we can toss those leftover lemons into our compost piles Well, I’m here to squeeze out all the facts and give you the real scoop on composting citrus fruits. The short answer? Yes, you absolutely can compost lemons! Let me break it down for ya
The Old Myths vs. New Facts
For years, some gardening experts warned against putting lemons in compost. They’d say things like:
- “The peels take forever to break down!”
- “The acid will kill your compost!”
- “The d-limonene will harm beneficial insects!”
But guess what? These concerns have been proven to be mostly just old wives’ tales. In fact, lemon peels can actually be pretty awesome for your compost pile when handled right.
Benefits of Adding Lemons to Your Compost
-
Natural Pest Deterrent
- That strong citrus smell we love? It actually helps keep unwanted critters away from your pile
- No more raccoons rummaging through your compost at night!
-
Nutrient Rich
- Lemon peels pack a punch with:
- Phosphorus
- Nitrogen
- Potassium
These nutrients help create super-rich compost for your garden.
How to Compost Lemons the Right Way
1. Size Matters
Listen up, this is important! Don’t just chuck whole lemons in there. Here’s what I do
- Cut peels into thumbnail-sized pieces
- Remove any wax coating if present
- The smaller the pieces, the faster they’ll break down
2. Balance is Key
Remember this magic ratio:
3 parts brown materials : 1 part green materialsLemons count as “greens” in your pile Here’s what you need
Browns:
- Dry leaves
- Newspaper
- Cardboard
- Straw
- Sawdust
Greens:
- Lemon peels
- Other fruit/veggie scraps
- Coffee grounds
- Fresh grass clippings
3. Don’t Overdo It!
Look, I know when life gives you lemons, you wanna make compost, but moderation is key! Here’s what I’ve learned:
- A few lemon peels per week = totally fine
- Dozens of peels daily = potential problems
If you’re running a lemonade stand or juicing lemons daily, maybe spread those peels out over time or share with other composting friends.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Too Much Acidity?
No worries! Try these fixes:
- Add a handful of lime to neutralize
- Mix in more grass clippings
- Turn the pile more frequently
Slow Decomposition?
If those peels are taking their sweet time breaking down:
- Cut them smaller
- Ensure proper moisture levels
- Turn pile regularly
- Screen finished compost to remove stubborn pieces
Pro Tips from My Experience
-
Hot Pile = Happy Pile
- Turn your pile every few weeks
- This prevents mold on citrus peels
- Speeds up decomposition
-
Worm Bin Warning
- If you’re vermicomposting, go easy on the citrus
- Some worms aren’t big fans of lemons
- Traditional compost piles handle citrus better
Final Thoughts
Listen, composting lemons isn’t rocket science. We’ve been making it way more complicated than it needs to be! Just remember:
- Cut ’em small
- Don’t overload
- Keep the pile balanced
- Turn regularly
And before you know it, those lemon peels will transform into black gold for your garden. So next time life gives you lemons, don’t just make lemonade – make some awesome compost too!
Remember, good composting is like cooking – it’s all about finding the right balance of ingredients. And lemons? They’re just another ingredient in your composting recipe for success!
Happy composting, garden friends! ♻️
Got questions about composting other citrus fruits? Drop ’em in the comments below – I’d love to help!
When Life Gives You Lemons, Feed Your Compost Pile Share
Written By: Katie Bocskor, Marketing Manager
Summertime Lemonade Stands
When you think summertime, what adventures, activities, and memories come to mind?
I think of bike rides and lemonade stands. Summer is my favorite time of year and has been since I was a kid. As I reminisce about my childhood, I think about sitting in the driveway with my three sisters and selling lemonade to the people passing by. I bet you remember your childhood lemonade stands, as you are probably now helping your children with theirs.
Lemonade stands can teach a child so many things: from how to make lemonade, to running a small business, to sales, communication, and teamwork—so why not teach children about food waste and the benefits of composting as well?!
Can I Compost Citrus – Oranges, Lemons, Limes and Grapefruit??
FAQ
Can You compost lemons?
Over the years, some gardening authorities have warned against including lemons and other citrus fruits in compost systems. More recently, the benefits of including citrus scraps in compost piles have proven to outweigh the concerns. Here’s why you need not hesitate to compost your citrus fruit scraps.
Why does lemon waste make a good compost?
Their reasons include the slow breakdown of peels, high acidity of the fruit, and the presence of d-limonene, a compound used in insecticides and cleaning products. These issues can present challenges when too much citrus is added to the compost bin all at once. But, in a balanced system, lemon waste contributes to high quality finished compost.
Can you put lemons and oranges in a compost pile?
Yes, you can put lemons and oranges in a compost pile. Like lemons and limes, citrus peels take longer to break down than other organic materials, but they can still be composted. However, it is important to avoid adding too much citrus to the compost pile, as the high acidity can disrupt the pH balance of the pile.
Is composting Lemons a bad idea?
Well-meaning gardeners and composting authorities alike have long shared the fallacy that composting lemons is a bad idea. Their reasons include the slow breakdown of peels, high acidity of the fruit, and the presence of d-limonene, a compound used in insecticides and cleaning products.
Can you put lemon peels in a compost pile?
If you’re tossing in the peels and pulp after juicing the odd lemon for cooking, along with the peels from a grapefruit or two, your system should have no problem processing it. But adding a dozen peels a day from your kid’s lemonade stand could cause some problems. Too much acidic citrus waste may disrupt the pH balance of the compost pile.
Can You compost lemons & other citrus scraps?
By incorporating a balanced mix of compost ingredients, you can safely compost lemons and other citrus scraps without concern. Past concerns about potential dangers of d-limonene content, slow decomposition rates, and toxic acidity range from non-factors to completely manageable.