Similar to what we saw with pistachios, the same applies to other nut shells. They are great sources of carbon for your compost, adding to the structure of the plant walls. This makes them brown materials. The very thing that makes them a great source of carbon and a great protector of the nut inside (which is different from the nut outside – he’s just kooky) also means that it doesn’t decompose quickly. So, can you compost nut shells? You can, but there are a few things that you want to know and do first.
How to Compost Nut Shells
You can throw your nut shells into your compost. However, especially if they are salted, there are a few things you should do first. The salt isn’t good for the soil or the compost. This will help them break down more quickly.
1. Soak your shells in water for a few hours or even overnight. This will remove any salt and soften up the shell. For unsalted, you can throw them into the compost as they are, but this will help them decompose faster.
2. Set them aside for a few days and let them dry out.
3. Chop them up (you can use a food processor for this.) This will help cut down the amount of time that it takes for them to break down. (You can also chop them up before soaking them and then dump water all into your compost heap).
4. Spread them throughout your compost heap, rotating as you go along. You don’t want them to clump up in one place. You can even stretch this out over a few days.
These steps will help ensure that you don’t add anything bad from the shells (like the salt) to your compost and will help the shells break down faster. This is especially true for a small pile or indoor composting. The salt is less of a problem if you have a large compost heap.
As we have seen with other materials, cutting up the shells helps the shells break down more quickly. Otherwise, pistachio shells can literally take years to break down (part of why they add bulk and structure to your compost.)
How Long Do Nut Shells Take to Compost?
If you soak them and break them up as we suggest here, they will take about six to twelve months to fully compost. If you break them up really well, you can often reduce this.
They can take 2-3 years to compost if you throw them in whole.
If you happen to have some in your compost when you add the compost to your lawn or garden, it isn’t the end of the world. As long as there is no salt or other additives, they will still enrich the soil as they break down and may even help deter snails, slugs, and other pests.
Can I Compost Nut Shells
Nutshells are a great addition to your compost. Nutshell compost adds structure and helps to retain moisture. This will help your compost last longer and add more nutrients to your garden or lawn.
Before you add your shells, there are a few things you will want to do to prepare them for composting.
Frequently Asked Questions for Adding Nut Shells to Compost
Can you compost peanut shells?
Yes, peanuts, despite the name, are actually legumes, which are a bit different. The hard outer shell comprises a different material (primarily cellulose and lignin.) They are still a great source of carbon, still a great addition to compost, and still can be composted using the same techniques.
Can you compost mixed shells of different types?
As long as we are talking nuts (and legumes) and not like crab shells or something, then yes. (Crab shells have their own considerations. They’re going to be mixed in the compost anyway. If it makes it easier for you to compost, and you’re more likely to do it, then great.