There is a common misconception that citrus shouldn’t go in the compost. Some gardeners believe that it will kill worms and beneficial bacteria. Some believe that it will increase the acidity of the compost. This isn’t the case. You can compost citrus including orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit. You can compost both the peels and fruit. These materials actually benefit your compost. In this guide, we’ll answer the question, Can you compost citrus peels? We’ll also explain how to compost citrus peels effectively.
Can You Compost Citrus?
Yes. Citrus is completely compostable. Citrus is a natural material. You can compost both the peels and the fruit itself. It will biodegrade over time, just like any other organic material. It doesn’t contain anything that could be harmful to your compost or your plants.
That said, you do need to have the right compost mix to compost citrus effectively. Citrus is acidic and it decomposes slowly. You don’t want to put too much in your compost. It’s best to add citrus waste in small quantities. Most households don’t consume so much citrus that the peels would make up a large portion of the compost. If you have too much citrus, it may not compost well. It’s also important to note that the fruit is more acidic than the peel and lemons are more acidic than oranges. You’ll want to keep this in mind when composting citrus.
The Myths About Composting Citrus
In the past, many people were taught not to put citrus in their compost bin. The belief was that the acid in the citrus would kill worms and beneficial bacteria. Some also believe that citrus peels decompose too slowly to compost. There is also the belief that citrus peels contain pesticides. Some people also would not compost citrus peels because they are sometimes used to make pesticides.
The reality is that there is no science behind any of this. There may be some truth to some of these claims but citrus peels are perfectly fine to compost. They can actually be beneficial for compost.
Does Citrus Take Too Long to Decompose?
Citrus peels take more time to decompose than other types of kitchen scraps such as coffee grounds or apple peels. This is because the cells are naturally resistant to decomposition. These are the same cells that contain the oils that give citrus its distinctive scent.
To speed up the decomposition process, dry the peels out first. Either put them on a baking sheet and put them in the oven on low heat or put them on a rack and set them out in the sun. The oils will dissipate quickly. They evaporate away.
After the peels are dry, cut them into smaller pieces. Increasing the surface area of the peels gives decomposers more surface area to work on. The peels will decompose much faster this way.
Does the Acidity of Citrus Affect Microbes?
Citrus fruits are acidic. Worms and beneficial microorganisms that decompose your compost don’t like acidity. Adding too much citrus to your compost could increase the acidity (lower the pH) and make it harder for microorganisms to decompose.
The acidity depends on what you’re composting. The fruit is more acidic than the peel. Lemon peels have a pH of around 4.5 while the juice has a pH of around 2. Some types of citrus are more acidic than others. For example, lemons have a higher acidity than oranges. Oranges have a pH of around 3.7-4.3 while lemons have a pH between 2 and 3.
The solution is to create a balanced compost. Add some alkaline and neutral items to help neutralize the pH. Avoid adding to many acidic items. For example, you might not want to add a bunch of coffee grounds with the citrus because both are acidic. You also shouldn’t add too much citrus all at once.
Ideally, your compost should be around neutral. It can be slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. If your compost becomes too acidic, you could add some wood ash or lime to increase the pH (make it more alkaline). Alternatively, you could add some more neutral brown compost materials to dilute the acidity away.
If you’re concerned that your compost is too acidic, you can do a pH test. You can buy a soil pH tester online for $10-$15. Ideally, your compost pH should be between 6 and 8. 7 is optimal because it’s neutral. If your compost is too acidic, you may not want to add citrus.
It’s best not to use citrus in worm composting. The acidity can harm or even kill your worms if it gets too intense. A bit of extra acidity doesn’t matter in a regular backyard compost heap or pile because compost doesn’t rely on worms. Microorganisms do most of the work. Worms just help.
There are also some plants that prefer acidic soil. Examples include rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas, and blueberries. Some people actually keep two compost piles. One is neutral and one is acidic. The acidic compost is perfect for acid loving plants. Citrus peels are perfect for making acidic compost.
Do Citrus Peels Contain Pesticides?
Some people don’t compost citrus peels because they believe that they contain pesticides. This is true. Citrus trees are treated with pesticides. Some of the pesticides do soak into the peels. The reality is that all fruit is treated with pesticides. If you put any type of fruit or vegetable waste in your compost, it likely has some pesticide residue on it.
Microorganisms also do a good job of breaking down most pesticides into harmless compounds. Some of the pesticides also evaporate away as the citrus decomposes. They won’t affect most insects or microbes. Once the compost is ready to use, most of the pesticides will be gone. They won’t make it into your garden.
If you’re really concerned about introducing pesticides into your compost, you can buy organic citrus fruits. These are not pesticide free but they will not have been treated with synthetic or chemical pesticides. This way, you will introduce fewer chemicals into your compost. Of course, organic fruit is more expensive.
Citrus and Mold
Some gardeners are concerned that citrus will mold in their compost. Penicillium molds tend to grow on citrus. You wouldn’t want this in your compost.
Luckily, mold is rarely a problem when composting citrus. There are two main reasons for this. First, a well-managed compost pile will be too hot for penicillium molds to survive. These molds prefer cooler environments.
Second, most citrus fruits are coated with an antimicrobial wax. This is necessary to prevent citrus from molding while it’s being transported or waiting to be sold. The coating shouldn’t effect your compost but it should be strong enough to prevent the peels from molding.
If your citrus is already moldy, it’s probably best not to put it in your compost, just to be safe. It’s unlikely to cause any issues. Hot compost will kill the mold. It’s really up to you whether you want to use it or not.
Vermicomposting and Citrus (Worm Composting)
Generally, it’s best not to put citrus in your worm bin. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, worms don’t like citrus. They usually won’t eat a fresh citrus peel. They will wait for it to start decomposing before they start processing it. This means it will take longer to decompose.
There is also a belief that citrus will kill worms because it is acidic. This really isn’t the case unless the acidity in the vermicompost becomes too high. Adding a few citrus peels to your worm compost won’t harm the worms. If you only use citrus once in a while, you can add it to your vermicompost but it’s best not to. Citrus works best in regular compost pile.
Why Use Citrus in Your Compost?
Citrus can be great for your compost. It is considered a green material in composting. Green materials contain high concentrations of nitrogen or proteins. Citrus contains nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. These elements help fuel the beneficial organisms that break down the compost. This helps your compost bin heat up, which speeds up decomposition.
The odor of the citrus can also deter some pests. They may not be used to the smell. Rats, mice voles, raccoons, gophers, and other scavengers will be less likely to dig through your compost bin if you add citrus. It may not keep them all away but it will act as a deterrent. Even if these critters do dig through your compost, the citrus won’t cause them any harm. Some insects also do not like citrus. Citrus could draw fruit flies.
Using citrus in your compost is also environmentally friendly. Composting citrus keeps it out of the landfill. It will just return back to the earth. Organic matter can take a long time to degrade in the landfill. It gets covered the undergoes anaerobic decomposition, which releases harmful greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Composting your citrus peels at home is much more eco friendly.
Composting itself also has plenty of benefits. It helps reduce erosion. The compost absorbs moisture, which helps to prevent soil from washing away during a storm. Compost also provides essential nutrients for your plants. This will help with plant growth. Yields will improve. Compost will also help retain soil moisture. This way, your plants stay hydrated and you won’t have to water as frequently. This saves you time and money on your water bill.
How to Compost Citrus
- Dry the citrus peelings- Place the peels on a rack and set them out in the sun or put them in the oven on low heat. This will allow some of the oils to evaporate away. If you have a really active compost pile, you can skip this step if you choose.
- Cut the peels up- Use a knife to slice the peels into smaller pieces. If you’re composting whole citrus, cut them into small pieces. This will create more surface area for decomposers to eat away on. This will speed up decomposition.
- Add the citrus to your compost bin or pile- You can add it on the top or mix it in. I like to create a little hole in the center and add my citrus. This will be the hottest part of the compost. The citrus will decompose faster here.
- Add other ingredients as necessary- Compost is made from a mix of nitrogen-rich materials and carbon-rich materials (called greens and browns). The ideal ratio is 2-3 parts brown for 1 part green. You’ll want to add some other items along with your citrus peels f the balance is off. Citrus peels are considered a green material. Some brown materials you could add include dry leaves, shredded newspaper, cardboard, sawdust, wood chips, pine needles, etc. These materials will help absorb any excess moisture from the citrus. They will also help neutralize the compost. You’ll also want to add some other green materials such as food scraps, fruit scraps, vegetable scraps, egg shells, grass clippings, etc.
- Mix and water the compost periodically- You want to keep the compost aerated and moist but not too wet. Every 3-4 days, use a shovel or pitchfork to mix your compost. When your compost dries out, give it some water. The microorganisms need water and air to decompose the citrus and other ingredients.
- Keep an eye on your compost- If the citrus is taking too long to decompose or if it is affecting the pH too much, stop composting citrus. You could also remove the peels that aren’t breaking down. Alternatively, you could add some alkaline materials to neutralize the acidity.
When to Compost Citrus
Because citrus decomposes slowly, it’s best to compost it when your bin is hot and active. Hot composting is the best method to use. Microorganisms heat up the compost through their activity, which speeds up decomposition. You can add citrus to cold compost but will take a long time to decompose. Microorganisms will still work but they will work more slowly. If your compost is not active, you may not want to add citrus.
How Long Does Citrus Take to Decompose?
Citrus will decompose in around 6 weeks in an active compost pile. That’s a bit longer than most other types of food waste. In a cold compost pile, it could take closer to 6 months. In some cases, citrus peels can take over a year to decompose. Cold composting isn’t ideal for citrus.
Can You Compost Citrus Seeds?
Yes. If you have a hot and active compost pile, you can add the seeds. They are organic waste. The heat will kill them. If you have a cold compost pile, it’s best not to put the seeds in because they could sprout and start growing. Even if this happens, it’s not that big of a deal, you can just pick the sprouts out or turn the compost and they will likely die off and turn into compost. In cooler climates, the sprouts won’t really grow.
My Experience
I always compost my citrus. I compost orange peels and lemons that I’ve squeezed. Usually, I just cut them up and put them in my compost bin. Sometimes, I’ll set them out to dry for a bit. My compost is pretty active so they decompose fairly quickly. Usually, they’re gone in 6-8 weeks depending on the season.
You can compost citrus. Lemon peels, lime peels, orange peels, and grapefruit peels will all break down in your compost. Before adding them, let them dry out a bit and cut them up into small pieces. They will break down and add valuable nutrients to your compost.
You will want to add them in moderation because citrus is acidic. Mixing the citrus with other organic materials will help keep your compost neutral. Citrus can make a great addition to your compost. Whether or not you decide to compost your citrus, I hope this guide makes the composting process a little easier.
Do you put citrus in your compost? Share your experience in the comments below!
Pin it for later!
More from The Homestead Hangout