Compost Don'ts

My late MIL (bless her) always told me never to put fruit (and I guess veg) peelings on my compost of stuff that hasn't grown in this country. She said that we didn't have the necessary bacteria in the air or soil to rot the stuff down. As a result, I don't compost citrus peel or bananas. Someone suggested that their avocado skins took a long time to break down. I wonder if this is why....

What do others think?

In our "home" compost heap we put in almost everything that is organic. If it has not completely decayed it is put in again at the bottom when the heap is emptied.

After the second visit to the heap there's usually no sign of it.

All veg peelings from the kitchen go in including citrus peel..... we use a shredder for woody material from the garden. It makes for zero cost brilliant compost. All this is added to the garden.

Our garden is several inches higher than the neighbours on either side (as we have been doing this for about 20 years) so we have concrete gravelboards to protect fences and fantastic looking, healthy plants. 

My father-in-law (always one for trying out something new) gave us something similar as he had tired of it. It was fine but too small. 

We have two compost-heaps at home each around 1.5m square and able to take piles on top. Down on the plot I have two much bigger heaps surrounded by corrugated iron sides. The heat in them is amazing even in the winter and they produce some extremely useful compost.     A decent sized compost heap has got to be a must!

Although the one you have linked to is good – as you say probably suitable for someone with very limited space.