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mochyn



Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales
PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 05 5:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Small amounts (probably less than 1%) of citrus seem to pose no problem. I chuck in peel, whole fruit (from the shop's waste) and the scraps left from curd-making: no probs with flies and it turns out cracking compost! I also put in plenty (up to a third) of paper/card, screwed up and wetted.

As for slugs, I now have a slug bucket into which go all the slugs I find as presents for the ducks!

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 05 7:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

We throw citrus peel onto the compost heap, and the heap is covered in flies. So what?

otatop



Joined: 01 Jun 2005
Posts: 1425
Location: North London
PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 05 8:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Why not candy the citrus peel instead. Candied orange peel is especially good covered with dark chocolate.

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 05 9:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

otatop wrote:
Why not candy the citrus peel instead. Candied orange peel is especially good covered with dark chocolate.


Because I can't eat that much candied peel More to the point, a lot of it is already zested by the time if goes on the compost heap.

tawny owl



Joined: 29 Apr 2005
Posts: 563
Location: Hampshire
PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 05 2:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

cab wrote:
We throw citrus peel onto the compost heap, and the heap is covered in flies. So what?


They're probably only fruit flies anyway, and they're useful for composting. I bung all my citrus on there too, but only after the peels have spent a few days in a bowl on the lav windowsill, making it smell all citrusy!

Bugs



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 05 2:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I think...we have let peel dry out for a few days then used it as a firelighter/fuel...am I making that up TD?

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 05 2:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

tawny owl wrote:

They're probably only fruit flies anyway, and they're useful for composting. I bung all my citrus on there too, but only after the peels have spent a few days in a bowl on the lav windowsill, making it smell all citrusy!


Precisely, they're only fruit flies, so they're doing little harm. A little offputting when one comes to 'water' the heap, perhaps...

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 05 2:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

cab wrote:
A little offputting when one comes to 'water' the heap, perhaps...


Definitely, don't let it put me off though.

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 05 2:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

tahir wrote:

Definitely, don't let it put me off though.


I just try not to think about them watching.

Bugs



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 05 2:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Is it my imagination or do you two take any opportunity to revive these disturbing images?

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 05 2:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Bugs wrote:
Is it my imagination or do you two take any opportunity to revive these disturbing images?


It's just your imagination. I wonder why you imagine that.

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 05 3:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

cab wrote:
It's just your imagination. I wonder why you imagine that.


It's a worry isn't it?

Andrea



Joined: 02 May 2005
Posts: 2260
Location: Portugal
PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 05 9:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

dougal wrote:
Anyone had any luck with using citrus peel to keep cats out of the veg plot?


I've not used it outside before but as it's only effective whilst it's scented, I'd imagine it would dry out too quickly to be of any great use.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Fri Jul 29, 05 6:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Bugs wrote:
I think...we have let peel dry out for a few days then used it as a firelighter/fuel...am I making that up TD?


Nope, and when it's dry it does burn very well due to the oils.

Bugs



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

PostPosted: Fri Jul 29, 05 7:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

tahir wrote:
cab wrote:
It's just your imagination. I wonder why you imagine that.


It's a worry isn't it?


The things I have to put up with - I shall go somewhere I'm appreciated I tell you


I wonder if you have a blender if you blended the skins to a pulp would the scent last a bit longer as the deterrent Dougal is looking for? If nothing else it would compost quicker. Not sure blending stuff to compost is ecologically sound though

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