Composting fruit skins

Lilyleek · February 2021

I use a Green Johanna enclosed composter. The accompanying literature says that any organic matter can be added.
The only problems I have ever had are the swarms of fruit flies, I know they don’t harm the compost but they are just very unpleasant everytime I open the lid to add matter.
I have recently stopped adding my citrus and banana skins and any other fruit leftovers with good effect....hardly any flies!
From November till now (February) I have been blitzing this fruit peel in a processor and digging it into my vegetable beds as I had read it will put good nutrients eg potassium into the soil.
Am I right in thinking that I should stop this now so that the soil acidity levels don’t get too high (and the worms aren’t affected by the acid) prior to planting out the new vegetable plants later in the spring and summer?
I am now looking for ideas for recycling the fruit skins apart. It seems such a waste putting them in the general rubbish.

Fire · February 2021

I think digging in your fruit and veg won't cause any problems. I add citrus etc to my compost and it seems to cause no problems; it's full of worms and other life. I don't think acid would be a problem. For fruit flies, I would sprinkle wood chip or shavings or earth on top of added compost, each time.

Blue Onion · February 2021

Rather than bothering to put them in the food processor, I would suggest you just pit compost them. If it's only you, freeze them until you've got enough worth digging in. I pit compost in the spring and plant my tomatoes, cucumbers, or other 'feeders' directly over with just a few inches of soil below the rootball.. they love it. We have plenty of citrus and other fruit in the pile, no issues with the plants in the raised beds.

BenCotto · February 2021

The amount of potassium added to the soil from decaying banana skins etc is negligible and will be of almost no benefit to your plants - and no harm either. The NPK ratio for a banana skin mulch is approximately 0.1 - 0.1 - 2.3.

I would look for other ways to be environmentally aware that will give a better return.

Lilyleek · February 2021

Thanks everyone.

I don’t have a log burner so will create a citrus pit ....it will be a relief to just bury the peel and not to blitz it everyday!!

Composting fruit skins

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