I have heard that I shouldn't put citrus fruit waste in my compost bin. Is this true and why?

Liam, October 2007

If the compost bin is occupied by earth worms doing their thing, then avoid citrus peel and onion skins. Worms do not like them so areas surrounding them are ignored and fail to decompose at the same rate as the rest of the contents, instead becoming smelly and spoiling the compost.

Stan, March 2008

I know of no reason you couldn't put citrus in compost. My gardening encyclopedia says you may use any plant material that will rot fairly quickly, as long as it is not diseased. Be advised, this is for a "compost HEAP" and may not apply to a "Bin" for some reason. All my references do say to not use fats or meats of any kind in compost. I have had good luck by processing large pieces of kitchen veggie waste,( ie: cabbage stalks, carrots, turnips, etc.) in my food processor. Composting as small a piece as possible speeds up the job!

Bonnie W., November 2007