Can You Compost Onions, Bread, Citrus, & Potatoes? Not Always!

Whenever the topic of composting comes up, a lot of people have questions about what foods and materials they can compost.

Some think composting just means turning fruit peels into nutritious matter for plants while others have weird ideas about composting whole trees and logs at once.  

This article will provide you with all the answers you’re looking for, mainly discussing the possibilities of composting onions, bread, citrus fruits, and potatoes.

Let’s go over each one in detail…

Can You Compost Onions, Bread, Citrus, & Potatoes?

So, onions are usually a tricky one. Yes, they can be composted in a compost bin but you must be very cautious when adding them in there.

First and foremost, onions have an extremely strong scent which can get worse upon decomposing and could lead to an unpleasant odor lingering around your house/garden.

The bulbous vegetable also decomposes very slowly and is quite prone to pest infestations. 

If you want to put onion into your compost bin, consider chopping it up finely and mixing it in with other organic materials that may be going into the bin as well.

Compost

Wait… Weren’t fruits meant to be in the compost bin?

Yes…but…the case for citrus fruits is different… 

You see, citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes are quite acidic, almost to the point where they might hinder the decomposition process if added to the compost bin in large quantities. 

In this case, a gentle introduction is probably a good idea. Mixing citrus fruits with other organic materials should help maintain the PH balance in the bin. However, just composting citrus peels is your best bet if you’re unsure about whole fruits.

Bread compost

The short answer is, yes, bread can be composted. However, doing so may not be very practical. 

Bread is rich in carbohydrates which makes for great organic content in your compost. But, the problem is that bread also attracts insects, pests, and rodents that can create problems in your compost bin.

Decomposed bread can also become soft and mushy, leaving a smell you probably won’t be able to ignore for long

Again, slow introduction can help in cases like these. Don’t throw in all your bread at once. Grind it or cut it up into smaller pieces and mix it with other organic materials you plan to put into the compost.

Also read this article and find out what happens if you don’t turn your compost.

Compost

So, potatoes typically won’t cause any problems in a compost bin. But, if you just throw potatoes into a compost bin, there’s a high chance that they will begin sprouting.

Although this isn’t a serious issue, it can still cause some unwanted growth that will take up space in the bin. 

To counter this, simply cut the potatoes into pieces or mix them up with other organic material when adding to the compost.

Compost

Composting any organic material is possible with just a little thinking and a strategic approach.

If you just throw whatever you want into your compost bin, chances are it will probably create a mess and smell worse than anything you’ve smelled in your life

Introduce acidic substances to your compost by mixing them with other organic matter and cutting things into smaller bits to make decomposition more efficient. It’s simple but requires some work. 

Can You Compost Onions, Bread, Citrus, & Potatoes? Not Always!

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