How to Compost Peanut Shells
Composting is a simple way to create a high-quality soil additive for your garden. Kitchen scraps, grass clippings, leaves, and other materials are all suitable for the compost pile. Peanut shells are excellent for composting because they are full of fiber and decompose quickly. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Locate your compost pile behind a garage or shed so it is handy but out of sight. While a composting bin is not required, it does keep the pile contained and speed the process along. Any plastic container will work, as long as it is at least 3 cubic feet in size.
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Compost has two basic elements, green garden or kitchen debris and brown debris such as leaves. Peanut shells represent are one of the brown elements. Green ingredients have nitrogen and brown materials contain carbon, and the two together create rapid decomposition.
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Balance your pile with one part green to two part brown debris. This will ensure proper and speedy breakdown. Continue adding any vegetables or fruit scraps and of course peanut shells in layers to your compost until the pile is at a minimum 3 cubic feet. Smaller piles will break down too slowly and require more turning to keep the decomposition process active.
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Put a small amount of finished compost or plain soil into your pile. This will kick-start the microbial process needed in order to turn your food waste into quality compost.
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Check your compost pile's moisture level once a week. It should have the consistency of a wet sponge. Too dry and it will stop the decomposition process, too wet and the temperature will fall increasing the odor. To adjust either add water a little at a time, or add more dry leaves.
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Use a shovel to turn the pile at least once a week, moving the material on the outside of the compost pile to the middle. Turning keeps the pile from compacting and limiting the airflow necessary for decomposition.
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Monitor your peanut shell compost pile for two months. It should be finished when it remains cool and the food stuff is no longer identifiable in the pile. It should be dark brown and have a clean and earthy smell.
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