Can I put avocado in my compost bin?

YES 🎉

You can put avocado into your composting bin!

The Ultimate Guide to Composting Avocado Skins, Pits, and More

Why We Should Compost Avocado Waste

As avocado lovers, we know that this superfruit generates a significant amount of organic waste. In fact, around 60% of an avocado's weight comes from its skin and pit. Rather than sending avocado shells, seeds, and other scraps to the landfill, we can repurpose this waste through composting. By composting avocado skins, pits, and other remnants, we can:

Reduce waste in landfills
Create nutrient-dense compost for our gardens
Save money on store-bought fertilizers
Minimize our environmental impact

Composting is a simple yet powerful way to transform avocado waste into a valuable resource for our plants and soil.

Step-by-Step Guide to Composting Avocado Peels

Composting avocado skins is an easy process that can be done in a few simple steps:

Rinse any remaining fruit off the peels
Cut the avocado rinds into small, 1-inch pieces
Add the chopped peels to your compost bin, pile, or tumbler
Mix the avocado skins thoroughly with other compostable materials like yard trimmings, food scraps, and shredded paper

Avocado peels are rich in nitrogen and moisture, making them an ideal "green" material to balance out carbon-rich "browns" like dried leaves and wood chips. Keep an eye on the moisture level of your compost, and add dry brown materials if needed to prevent the pile from becoming too wet. With regular turning and aeration, composted avocado skins should fully decompose within 4-6 weeks.

Dealing with Excess Moisture from Avocado Peels

If your compost becomes too wet due to the high moisture content of avocado skins, try these tips:

Incorporate dry, carbon-rich materials like sawdust, shredded cardboard, or straw
Allow excess water to drain before adding more green waste
Turn the compost pile frequently to improve airflow and speed up evaporation

How to Compost Avocado Pits

Composting avocado seeds requires a bit more preparation than composting the skins:

Use a hammer to crack open the pit
Peel away the papery seed coat from inside the pit
Chop the peeled pit into small, 1-2 inch pieces
Add the pit chunks to your compost bin and mix well with other materials

Whole avocado pits can take over a year to break down in a compost pile due to their tough exterior. By removing the outer layer and breaking the seed into smaller pieces, we can accelerate the composting process. Most of the avocado pit compost should be ready in about 2-3 months. Be sure to remove any remaining woody chunks and set them aside for further composting.

Putting Your Avocado Compost to Work in the Garden

Once your avocado waste has fully composted, you'll have a nutrient-rich soil amendment that can be used in various ways:

Incorporate it into vegetable and flower beds to improve soil fertility
Use it as a high-quality potting mix for container plants and seedlings
Apply it as a mulch around trees, shrubs, and other perennials
Mix it into lawn top-dressing to enhance soil health and grass growth

Avocado compost is teeming with beneficial microorganisms and slow-release nutrients that will feed your plants and revitalize your soil over time. If you need help mastering the green-brown mix in your compost, consider our helpful ebook.

Frequently Asked Questions About Composting Avocados

Can I compost whole avocado pits without cracking them open?

We don't recommend composting intact avocado pits, as their hard, woody exterior resists decomposition. Always crack the pits open and remove the inner seed coat for successful composting. A compost shredder can make this process easier.

What's the ideal size for chopped avocado skins and pits in compost?

Aim to chop your avocado waste into 1-2 inch pieces. Smaller pieces have more surface area for microbes to break down, speeding up the composting process. Kitchen shears or scissors work well for cutting tough skins and pits.

Is it possible to add too much avocado waste to my compost pile?

While it's okay to compost all your avocado scraps, try to limit them to no more than 10-20% of your total compost volume. Too much avocado waste can throw off the balance of greens and browns needed for effective composting.

How do I fix a compost pile that's too wet from avocado skins?

Excess moisture is a common problem when composting fruit and vegetable waste. To absorb extra water, mix in dry, absorbent brown materials like shredded newspaper, sawdust, or straw. A moisture meter can help you monitor your compost's moisture levels.

By composting avocado skins, pits, and other scraps, we can divert waste from landfills and create a valuable soil amendment for our gardens. Follow the tips in this guide for successful avocado composting, and enjoy the benefits of this eco-friendly practice.