From the page: Garlic peel has power
Idea 8
Compost bin fertilizer
Composting is an ancient practice — Chinese farmers were already returning crop residues to the land thousands of years ago. Garlic peels decompose releasing sulfur and minerals that feed the compost's microorganisms, and their natural aromatic compounds even help keep some pests away from the finished substrate.
What you need
- Accumulated garlic peels (only the dry skins and clean bits, no mold)
- A home composter or a lidded bucket for composting
- Sawdust, dry leaves or soil (the dry material, called "brown")
- Moist kitchen plant scraps (the "green" of the balance)
- A small shovel or wooden spoon for mixing
How to make it
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1
Collect the garlic peels in a small container in the kitchen until you have a handful, so you add them all at once and avoid daily trips to the composter.
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2
Chop or crush the peels before tossing them in: breaking the fibrous structure speeds up decomposition, because microorganisms can reach the material more easily.
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3
Spread the peels in the composter and cover with a layer of dry material (sawdust or leaves) — this prevents odor and attracts fewer insects, balancing the moisture.
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4
Mix lightly with the layer below to oxygenate: composting is an aerobic process, and without air the right microorganisms don't work.
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5
Repeat with each new batch of peels, always alternating peel (green) with dry material (brown) to keep the proportion and the compost healthy.
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6
In two to three months, the compost will be dark and smell of forest soil — a sign that it is ready to use.
Finishing touches
Use the finished compost in herb pots or a home garden — the garlic is released in traces and helps strengthen the plants. If you notice a strong ammonia smell, it means there is too much moist material: add more sawdust.
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