Expert: Greg - 7/17/2011

Question
Hello: I drink a lot of fruit smoothies,and hate wasting the banana and orange peels.It occurred to me that I could puree the peels and dig a pit in my garden and pour the puree into it.I envisioned covering the pit with a piece of plywood for easy access.That way,worms could access the puree and be protected from the sun and birds.Is this a good idea? One other question: can worms deal with vegetable matter that has not been pureed?
Thanks!

Answer
Hello Michael

You 2 Part question here, can really be answered, with one.


You should Compost the Peals, especially the Banana Peals, they Decompose quick. The Orange Peals, need a little help, chop those up at bit for quicker Decomposition.

This all leads to..and everyone has an Opinion on this..Do NOT Puree the peals. Put them in the Compost Pile, and left them Decompose as they are. I could get into the reasons why here, but it would be Lengthy, and Boring. One of those reason IS...It will Hurt the Worms, as they prefer to run though Soil matter, and do there stuff.


As the Decomposition process is always on going, you have skipped a Stage with Puree, let the Natural Forces take place in your Compost Pile, and it will reward you.

AS for the Worms, they will Dig Deep into the Pile to Regulate the Temperature to suit them, do not be concerned in that respect, as for the Birds, whatever they can scrounge up from your pile, is not going to Impact the Population, they will replace the losses, no problem at all.


If I have missed something here, please do not hesitate to ask a Follow-up Question.


The Best of Luck

   Greg