Category: Composting

Food waste accounts for a staggering 30-40% of the food supply in some regions, with a large portion being nutrient-rich fruit and vegetable peels that can be used for gardening. Understanding which peels have phosphorus can help you convert this waste into a valuable, eco-friendly resource for your plants.

Celery, composed of about 95% water, requires a lot of energy to digest, yet its fibrous nature makes it surprisingly resistant to breakdown. This article explores the various biological and environmental factors that answer the question: what breaks down celery, from the moment of harvest to its eventual return to the soil.

According to the USDA-NRCS, for every 1% of organic matter added to the top 6 inches of soil, the water-holding capacity can increase by 16,500 gallons per acre. While this and other benefits paint a positive picture, the question of whether organic matter is good or bad depends heavily on its type, quantity, and application method.

Multiple scientific studies reveal that banana peels are a complex matrix containing numerous organic and phenolic acids, rather than just a single acid. As the fruit ripens, the concentration and type of these acids change significantly, influencing the peel's chemical and biological properties, which ultimately answers the question: which acid is present in banana peels?

While many plant-based foods are excellent for vermicomposting, certain items, like spicy peppers, should be avoided. This raises a common question for composters: are peppers good for worms? The answer depends entirely on the type of pepper and how you manage the scraps within your worm bin.

According to a study published in the *Polish Journal of Environmental Studies*, paper and pulp waste can significantly increase macronutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, and calcium in soil, improving fertility. However, this does not mean that paper itself is a source of human nutrition; in fact, the cellulose that forms its primary component is completely indigestible.

Recent research indicates that while coffee grounds contain potassium, the concentration is relatively low compared to commercial fertilizers. This challenges the popular gardening myth that they are a potent source of this essential plant nutrient, but they offer numerous other benefits as a soil amendment.

Over 30% of what ends up in landfills is organic waste, a figure that includes many seemingly harmless items. This raises an important question for eco-conscious households: can you compost gummy vitamins effectively and without issue?

Annually, an estimated 6–8 million tonnes of coffee waste, primarily spent coffee grounds (SCG), are produced globally. While often discarded, these spent coffee grounds contain a surprising array of valuable nutrients and organic compounds that can be beneficially repurposed, especially for gardening and soil health.

With approximately 100 million cups of tea consumed every single day in Britain, many gardeners wonder: Is tea good for growing? The simple answer is yes, tea waste can be a valuable organic resource for improving soil health and boosting plant vitality when used correctly. This guide will explain how to effectively repurpose your used tea bags and loose leaves to cultivate a thriving garden.