I am looking for studies that disspell the myths that you should not compost things like citris, rhubarb, spruce needles, walnut, etc. Has anyone tested how long these organic compounds persist in a compost system (both active and passive), or a mulch environment.
Have you used walnut as a mulch, and did you find it had a negative impact on new or mature plantings; were there added weed suppression benefits from the juglone (could you use a thinner layer of mulch and get the same benefits)?
Thanks,
Mark Stumpf-Allen
Compost Programs Coordinator
City of Edmonton
Canada
What NOT to Compost
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When I first got into composting in a big way I found the Rodale Book of Composting especially helpful. http://www.compost-bin.org/the-rodale-book-of-composting/
Frances Forsyth
Be the Difference programme
New Zealand
[email protected]
Mark,
Did you have any luck finding information on whether or not compost things like citris, rhubarb, spruce needles, walnut, etc. is okay?
Thank you.
John
John Harvey
Spain
My friends at Colorado State University advised us at the City of Fort Collins - not to use citris or pine because it makes it too acidic but I would guess in small quantites it is ok.....
Dr Rosemarie Russo
Dr Rosemarie Russo
Sustainability Coordinator
City of Fort Collins
United States
I don't have good studies to add to this beyond the already-suggested Cornell university and Biocycle magazines. However, Rhubarb leaves are fairly universally considered safe and I have seen science demonstrating that the acid in them is both neutralized in the backyard composting process, as well as in such small quantities you wouldn't need to worry anyway.
Unfortunately not a lot of science has been done on backyard composting as far as I can tell. Acidic things can go in in small to moderate quantities, again depending on the desired end result. One problem with pine needles is they're waxy as well as acidic, so they tend to take a very long time to break down.
We compost citrus all the time and have no apparent issues. In a worm bin, however, we moderate how much is added for the sake of the more sensitive Eisenia Fetida.
Teresa Looy
Compost Program Co-ordinator
Green Action Centre
Canada
...
Hi Mark,
I suggest trying two sources.
1. Biocycle Magazine: http://www.jgpress.com/ Trying searching the archives, or if you can't find something give the magazine a call (they're good people).
2. Cornell University Waste Management Institute. Award winning group that specializes in composting. Talk to Jean Bonhotal, or Cathy Schwartz. Lots of studies listed on their home page. http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/composting.htm
Norm Ruttan
President
iWasteNot Systems
Canada
www.iwastenotsystems.com