A GARDENING guru has revealed the four things you should NEVER add to your compost heap – including the one that could bring about some unwanted visitors.
Samantha Richards has suggested that while composting is a great way to boost your garden on a budget, there are a few things to always put in the bin instead.
This includes meat, dairy products, and the stickers found on your fruit and vegetables.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, the garden gazebo expert said: “As we start to see the benefits of spring with longer days and warmer temperatures, gardeners who managed to maintain their compost heaps throughout winter will now see them thrive and for those who are just starting theirs, now is as good a time as any.
“Compost piles reduce your carbon footprint and add nutrients to the soil and for those who are thinking of starting one, you will soon discover that whilst a lot of organic matter will decompose, some things will not break down.
“Here are four items to be aware of.”
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Animal products
While many of us might think leftover bacon or out-of-date chicken will break down like everything else, Samantha recommends putting these in your rubbish bin instead.
This is due to the fact that they could attract animals and rodents into your garden.
She continued: “They will rot in your heap and start to smell which will attract all kinds of animals and rodents.
“Definitely not something you want in your garden or your neighbours want next door.”
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Diary
The same goes for most dairy products, like cheese, milk and out-of-date yogurt – again, due to the fact they will start to stink.
“It’s also worth checking the ingredients of processed foods that you are thinking of adding to the compost as ones that contain a lot of dairy or fat should be avoided too.
“Oily foods are also worth remembering to avoid.
“While your compost needs some moisture for it to function properly, oil and water do not mix well, which is why keeping grease and cooking oils far away from your compost is vital for it to work.”
Your pet's poo or cat litter
According to the gardening expert, we should avoid dumping this one in our compost bins at all costs.
This is especially true for cat litter, as this can cause toxoplasmosis – a disease known to negatively affect pregnant women and their unborn children.
She explained: “Dog and cat excrement can make your compost heap dangerous.
“Although the poop will eventually break down, it will become a hotspot for bacteria, germs and viruses and it can contain pathogens that cause human diseases.”
“If your compost pile is in your garden and you have young children roaming around, bear this in mind as you need to be sure that there is nothing harmful in your compost heap which kids can get their hands on.”
Fruit & veg stickers
You might not even mean to pop these ones on your compost heap, as their small size can make them hard to spot.
But Samantha recommends making a conscious effort to remove them first as they won’t break down like some of your other waste.
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“If you can get into the habit of peeling off plastic stickers on fruit and vegetables you will save yourself the long, tedious task of individually picking them out from the soil later on.
“Due to the material of these stickers, they are not biodegradable and do contaminate the compost.”
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