Food Products You Should Never Compost

By
Ian M
-

Composting has become a common thing to do for many people, taking organic food waste and turning it into nutrient-rich soil for use in the garden. While most food scraps from our kitchens can be used in these compost piles, there are some things that you have to be careful to not add to the compost. Here are some of them. 

Meat Scraps

It might be tempting to just throw scraps of meat that you don’t consume into the compost pile, but this can cause big problems. Meat attracts pests and animals that can invade your compost pile and it just doesn’t break down in a way that helps your compost.

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If you haven’t heard that this is going to be an amazing year for blackberries, you’re hearing it now. Our berry patch was planted in 2011, and although it’s become more stylish as the years have past, it’s not always been what I’d call super productive. A couple years ago I trained the thornless ‘Chester’ canes into a simple parallel trellis of copper piping, and it has really helped to manage them. But the second thing I did may be the secret to the motherload. I stopped blowing my leaves, and instead raked all the leaves on the grass and the beds into this spot. So basically the blackberries (and a few raspberries) are all growing directly out of a giant compost pile. And they seem to be delighted about it! As you can see behind the beds, the canes are LOADED with flowers! Now, let’s be honest. The undergardeners and I can never really control ourselves to keep from eating them right out of the patch. But I’m praying that this year is the year we actually make that cobbler, 🙏🤞🙏🥧👩‍🌾👨‍🍳👦👦👦👧🥳🥳🥳. #berrypatch #inmygarden #yesterdaysgarden #raisedbedgardening #kitchengarden #veggiepatch #homegarden #myfrontyard #leafmold #compostpile #chesterblackberries #gardendesign #gardenswing #potager #americana #blackberries #homegrown #desperatelyseekingcobbler #growsomethinggreen #raisedbeds #gardenersworld #kale #garlic #cabbages #beansprouts #thehappygardeninglife #farmtotable #growyourown #gardendreams #lucysgardenlife

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Dairy Products

Another group of animal products that you shouldn’t put into your compost pile is dairy. Yogurts, ice creams, milk, and other items should be disposed of differently because they will sour, rot, and potentially attract animals and other pests to your compost.

Cooking Oil

Oil is something that should be disposed of carefully in designated drop-off places and not added to your compost pile. Cooking oil doesn’t biodegrade like other plant products do and its smell can attract hungry animals to your compost, which can ruin it.

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Now's the time! Fall is the best time to amend your soil for better growth and drainage in the spring. Adding Compost to Soil: Some experts recommend that compost be spread over the soil and not mixed in. This is because digging will disturb the delicate mycorrhizal fungi, which help plants access nutrients from deep in the earth. However, in clay or sandy soils, amending soil with compost will enhance the soil enough to warrant such disruption. If your soil has a good texture, you can simply spread the compost on the surface. Over time, rain, worms and other natural actions will wash the compost into the plant’s roots. If you are making your own potting soil, mix compost in 1 part compost with 1 part each peat, perlite, and top soil. A good rule of thumb on using soil and compost to perk up the garden is not to use more than 3 inches (7.6 cm.). Vegetable gardens benefit from this higher range unless you had already worked in the previous season’s yard waste. Find our NatureWise Compost at all Missouri Organic locations citywide (see www.missouriorganic.com) and all Sutherlands Kansas City KC area locations. Read more at Gardening Know How: Compost As Soil Amendment – Tips On Mixing Compost With Soil https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/compost-as-soil-amendment.htm #soilhealth #compost #compostpile #compostbin #composting #composteducation #compostingisfunandeasy #foodwastesolutions #growyourown #victorygardens #growyourownfood #backyardfarming #gardening #compost #missouriorganic #missouriorganicrecycling

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