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How To: Compost Your Fruit

Fruit and vegetable scraps provide essential nitrogen to your compost pile. However make sure that you have a 2:1 balance of carbon to nitrogen to ensure your compost remains beneficial to your garden. Carbon-rich materials, also known as brown materials, can include dried leaves, coffee grounds, eggshells, branches, torn up brown paper bags, bark/saw dust and hay. Nitrogen-rich matter (green materials) include food scraps, lawn clippings, green leaves, and manure. This balance ensures oxygen penetration and the nourishment for all the healthy organisms in your compost pile. Layer the different types of compost materials like you would lasagna. Branch clippings, straw, or twigs on the bottom for aeration and drainage, a nitrogen source like your fruit scraps or manure on top of that, and layer consistently on top of that keeping the carbon-nitrogen ratio in mind. To help speed up the decomposition process keep the pile covered to retain heat and moisture. Turn the pile every few weeks with a pitchfork or shovelit shouldn't take too long to sufficiently turn over the decomposing materials and provide them with essential oxygen. Over the course of weeks your compost will break down into rich humus for both your lawn and garden. It should be noted that compost is an additive, meaning that it should not be used as the chief growing medium for your plants. Now sit back and enjoy your naturally gorgeous plants and delicious fruits and vegetables!

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