Yes, you can compost orange peels. However, if you’re using worms (called vermicomposting), there is are some cautions to consider.
Otherwise, despite recommendations given in the past, orange peels in your composting system can have several benefits.
Composting Orange Peels – Vermicomposting
Add citrus in very small amounts to your worm bins. Citrus contains a substance called limonene, a colorless liquid that is the primary component of oils in citrus peels. While limonene is used in various personal care products, it is toxic to worms. It acts as a neurotoxin to them and can harm them. It gives orange peels (and other citrus peels) their distinctive odor.
So, avoid adding orange peels to worm composting bins, or add them in very small amounts.
Avoid Too Much Citrus
Citrus fruit tends to be very acidic. This includes lemons, limes, oranges, and the like. Even if you aren’t using worms to compost, you want to add citrus fruit in moderation. Too many will make your compost too acidic. That’s not good for the plants or the microorganisms in the compost. It could throw off the balance of the system and do more harm than good.
- To make compost nutritious, orange peels add minerals like potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. They also speed up the process of composting.
- The compost pile is deterred by the strong citrus smell. You’ll rarely see vermin, like rats or an abundance of flies.
- They’re completely recyclable and, therefore, not an environmental risk.
- The heat from citrus fruits speeds up the process of composition.
- The same heat will destroy any seeds in your compost pile. This stops them from germination when you use the compost in your garden.
Benefits of Using Orange Peels in Your Compost
Orange peels have several benefits. They add several valuable nutrients and can be well worth considering in a non-worm composting system.
- Orange peels add minerals like phosphorous, potassium, and nitrogen.
- Orange peels can speed up the composting process for non-worm systems (in moderation)
Can You Compost Orange Peels – How You Can Do It?
Orange peels can take quite a while on their own to compost. This can take upwards of six months. This is because of the nature of the peels themselves. Nature built the peels to protect the fruit, and they don’t break down easily. Also, they are treated with a wax to prevent mold. This wax also further inhibits their breakdown.
To help make the process faster, we turn to the usual standby advice for composting. You want to break up the peels. The good news is that this usually doesn’t require extra work. It happens when you peel the orange. It also helps break down that wax.
If you have whole fruit, cut them up first. If you’re very motivated, consider peeling them. The smaller the pieces, the faster they decompose.
Myths About Composting Orange Peels
In the past, there has been some advice about not composting orange peels. This is a result of some misunderstandings. Let’s cover a few so that you are well-armed when you hear them.
Adding Oranges to Compost Will Grown Penicillin Which Kills the Bacteria Helping Compost
It’s true that moldy citrus fruit can grow penicillin mold and that mold can harm the good bacteria we want to help us compost. However, that mold won’t typically live in a well-tended composting system. Composting naturally raises the temperature to around 120 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Penicillin mold wants the temperature cooler, no more than room temperature (it’s a little diva). A well-tended system won’t let that happen.
Orange Peels Take Too Long to Break Down
Orange peels do indeed take some time to break down by adding them in moderation and in smaller pieces helps dramatically.
Orange Peels Have Natural Chemicals That Scare Off Earthworms and Microbes
There is a slight amount of truth to this for some composting worms. They just aren’t fans. Don’t add much, and the peels will take a bit longer. Orange peels are just fine for a non-worm composting system. Earthworms tend to come late to the composting party; by then, the orange peels are decomposing and no longer an issue.
Orange Peels are Too Acidic
Actually, the same answer as above. Add them in moderation, and the acidity is fine.
Orange peels are a great source of nutrients for your compost. You can compost orange peels. Make sure to break up the peels and add citrus fruit in moderation, and you’ll be fine.