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Trevor Tyrrell 07-03-2004 08:17 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not meat!)

Why is this - what difference could it make?

Thanks


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Robert 07-03-2004 08:37 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
: I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not
: meat!)
:
: Why is this - what difference could it make?
:
: Thanks
:
:

One good reason is that it can attract rats and another is that it all
settles into a 'mush' that does not allow air in for the proper composting
to occur



Kay Easton 07-03-2004 11:27 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
In article 4kL2c.3018$54.1804@newsfe1-win, Trevor Tyrrell
writes
I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not meat!)

Why is this - what difference could it make?

People think it attracts rats.

--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm

Kay Easton 07-03-2004 11:29 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
In article 4kL2c.3018$54.1804@newsfe1-win, Trevor Tyrrell
writes
I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not meat!)

Why is this - what difference could it make?

People think it attracts rats.

--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm

Jaques d'Alltrades 08-03-2004 01:12 AM

Compost cooked food?
 
The message 4kL2c.3018$54.1804@newsfe1-win
from "Trevor Tyrrell" contains these words:

I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not meat!)


Why is this - what difference could it make?


I do - and meat - if there is any left. Bones go in too. Especially
bones. As long as you put in plenty of fibrous stuff to allow air to it,
and you can keep the rats out there's no reason why you shouldn't.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

Steve Harris 08-03-2004 01:12 AM

Compost cooked food?
 
In article ,
(Robert) wrote:

One good reason is that it can attract rats


How did rats survive before the cooker was invented?

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com
A useful bit of gardening software at
http://www.netservs.com/garden/

Jaques d'Alltrades 08-03-2004 01:20 AM

Compost cooked food?
 
The message 4kL2c.3018$54.1804@newsfe1-win
from "Trevor Tyrrell" contains these words:

I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not meat!)


Why is this - what difference could it make?


I do - and meat - if there is any left. Bones go in too. Especially
bones. As long as you put in plenty of fibrous stuff to allow air to it,
and you can keep the rats out there's no reason why you shouldn't.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

Steve Harris 08-03-2004 01:20 AM

Compost cooked food?
 
In article ,
(Robert) wrote:

One good reason is that it can attract rats


How did rats survive before the cooker was invented?

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com
A useful bit of gardening software at
http://www.netservs.com/garden/

Jaques d'Alltrades 08-03-2004 01:20 AM

Compost cooked food?
 
The message 4kL2c.3018$54.1804@newsfe1-win
from "Trevor Tyrrell" contains these words:

I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not meat!)


Why is this - what difference could it make?


I do - and meat - if there is any left. Bones go in too. Especially
bones. As long as you put in plenty of fibrous stuff to allow air to it,
and you can keep the rats out there's no reason why you shouldn't.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

Steve Harris 08-03-2004 01:20 AM

Compost cooked food?
 
In article ,
(Robert) wrote:

One good reason is that it can attract rats


How did rats survive before the cooker was invented?

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com
A useful bit of gardening software at
http://www.netservs.com/garden/

Robert 08-03-2004 07:19 AM

Compost cooked food?
 
: In article ,
: (Robert) wrote:
:
:: One good reason is that it can attract rats
:
: How did rats survive before the cooker was invented?
:
: Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com
: A useful bit of gardening software at
http://www.netservs.com/garden/

They were a lot slimmer and indeed all the fitter for it, in those days!



martin 08-03-2004 09:22 AM

Compost cooked food?
 
On Mon, 8 Mar 2004 00:36 +0000 (GMT), (Steve Harris)
wrote:

In article ,
(Robert) wrote:

One good reason is that it can attract rats


How did rats survive before the cooker was invented?


The same way as people.
--

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit;
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad

martin 08-03-2004 09:22 AM

Compost cooked food?
 
On Mon, 8 Mar 2004 00:36 +0000 (GMT), (Steve Harris)
wrote:

In article ,
(Robert) wrote:

One good reason is that it can attract rats


How did rats survive before the cooker was invented?


The same way as people.
--

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit;
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad

martin 08-03-2004 09:54 AM

Compost cooked food?
 
On Mon, 8 Mar 2004 00:36 +0000 (GMT), (Steve Harris)
wrote:

In article ,
(Robert) wrote:

One good reason is that it can attract rats


How did rats survive before the cooker was invented?


The same way as people.
--

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit;
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad

Frogleg 08-03-2004 01:08 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
On Sun, 7 Mar 2004 20:10:39 -0000, "Trevor Tyrrell"
wrote:

I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not meat!)

Why is this - what difference could it make?


I have a vegetarian compost pile. That is, only raw veg and fruit
trimmings, coffee grounds, rinsed&crushed eggshells, etc. (plus the
other usual non-food items). I don't add any cooked or prepared food
leftovers unless they contain no butter, oil, salt, (salad dressing)
because I don't want any grease or salt in my compost. Except for the
first day after I put out a canteloupe rind, the pile is virtually
odor-free.

Nick Maclaren 08-03-2004 01:08 PM

Compost cooked food?
 

In article ,
Frogleg writes:
| On Sun, 7 Mar 2004 20:10:39 -0000, "Trevor Tyrrell"
| wrote:
|
| I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not meat!)
|
| Why is this - what difference could it make?
|
| I have a vegetarian compost pile. That is, only raw veg and fruit
| trimmings, coffee grounds, rinsed&crushed eggshells, etc. (plus the
| other usual non-food items). I don't add any cooked or prepared food
| leftovers unless they contain no butter, oil, salt, (salad dressing)
| because I don't want any grease or salt in my compost. Except for the
| first day after I put out a canteloupe rind, the pile is virtually
| odor-free.

Well, I put turkey carcases, food beyond even my tolerance on date,
fish skins, old cooking oil, dead rats and an old duvet on mine, and
the same applies to it.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Janet Baraclough.. 08-03-2004 01:16 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
The message
from (Steve Harris) contains these words:

In article ,
(Robert) wrote:

One good reason is that it can attract rats


How did rats survive before the cooker was invented?


Back then, rats were strict raw-food vegetarians, wore beards, and
used only natural undyed materials of vegetable origin for their nests.

Janet

Frogleg 08-03-2004 01:31 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
On Sun, 7 Mar 2004 20:10:39 -0000, "Trevor Tyrrell"
wrote:

I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not meat!)

Why is this - what difference could it make?


I have a vegetarian compost pile. That is, only raw veg and fruit
trimmings, coffee grounds, rinsed&crushed eggshells, etc. (plus the
other usual non-food items). I don't add any cooked or prepared food
leftovers unless they contain no butter, oil, salt, (salad dressing)
because I don't want any grease or salt in my compost. Except for the
first day after I put out a canteloupe rind, the pile is virtually
odor-free.

Nick Maclaren 08-03-2004 01:56 PM

Compost cooked food?
 

In article ,
Frogleg writes:
| On Sun, 7 Mar 2004 20:10:39 -0000, "Trevor Tyrrell"
| wrote:
|
| I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not meat!)
|
| Why is this - what difference could it make?
|
| I have a vegetarian compost pile. That is, only raw veg and fruit
| trimmings, coffee grounds, rinsed&crushed eggshells, etc. (plus the
| other usual non-food items). I don't add any cooked or prepared food
| leftovers unless they contain no butter, oil, salt, (salad dressing)
| because I don't want any grease or salt in my compost. Except for the
| first day after I put out a canteloupe rind, the pile is virtually
| odor-free.

Well, I put turkey carcases, food beyond even my tolerance on date,
fish skins, old cooking oil, dead rats and an old duvet on mine, and
the same applies to it.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Janet Baraclough.. 08-03-2004 07:39 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
The message
from (Steve Harris) contains these words:

In article ,
(Robert) wrote:

One good reason is that it can attract rats


How did rats survive before the cooker was invented?


Back then, rats were strict raw-food vegetarians, wore beards, and
used only natural undyed materials of vegetable origin for their nests.

Janet

Janet Baraclough.. 08-03-2004 07:46 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
The message
from (Steve Harris) contains these words:

In article ,
(Robert) wrote:

One good reason is that it can attract rats


How did rats survive before the cooker was invented?


Back then, rats were strict raw-food vegetarians, wore beards, and
used only natural undyed materials of vegetable origin for their nests.

Janet

Janet Baraclough.. 08-03-2004 07:46 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
The message
from (Steve Harris) contains these words:

In article ,
(Robert) wrote:

One good reason is that it can attract rats


How did rats survive before the cooker was invented?


Back then, rats were strict raw-food vegetarians, wore beards, and
used only natural undyed materials of vegetable origin for their nests.

Janet

Janet Baraclough.. 08-03-2004 07:46 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
The message
from (Steve Harris) contains these words:

In article ,
(Robert) wrote:

One good reason is that it can attract rats


How did rats survive before the cooker was invented?


Back then, rats were strict raw-food vegetarians, wore beards, and
used only natural undyed materials of vegetable origin for their nests.

Janet

Janet Baraclough.. 08-03-2004 07:51 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
The message
from Frogleg contains these words:

I have a vegetarian compost pile. That is, only raw veg and fruit
trimmings, coffee grounds, rinsed&crushed eggshells, etc. (plus the
other usual non-food items). I don't add any cooked or prepared food
leftovers unless they contain no butter, oil, salt, (salad dressing)
because I don't want any grease or salt in my compost.(snip)


Why do you go to such lengths to eliminate salt and grease from your
compost? There are natural oils in many plants and natural salts in many
soils, so I reckon naturally formed humus/compost/soil must contain
both. Going by the state of my windows, the soil on this island must get
drenched in sea salt all winter but remains very fertile :-)

Janet.(Isle of Arran)

Nick Maclaren 08-03-2004 07:51 PM

Compost cooked food?
 

In article ,
Janet Baraclough.. writes:
|
| Why do you go to such lengths to eliminate salt and grease from your
| compost? There are natural oils in many plants and natural salts in many
| soils, so I reckon naturally formed humus/compost/soil must contain
| both. Going by the state of my windows, the soil on this island must get
| drenched in sea salt all winter but remains very fertile :-)

This goes back to the old saw of sowing land with salt to render
it infertile. In a location where evaporation exceeds precipitation,
that works. However, in the UK, precipitation exceeds evaporation
everywhere, and by a considerable margin in your case :-)


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Derek Turner 08-03-2004 07:52 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
On Sun, 7 Mar 2004 20:22:38 +0000 (UTC), "Robert"
wrote:

: I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not
: meat!)


One good reason is that it can attract rats and another is that it all
settles into a 'mush' that does not allow air in for the proper composting
to occur

OTOH a womery will quite happily take all the cooked food, hoover bags
etc. that you can throw at it. Not either/or but both/and?
Derek

Janet Baraclough.. 08-03-2004 07:52 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
The message
from Frogleg contains these words:

I have a vegetarian compost pile. That is, only raw veg and fruit
trimmings, coffee grounds, rinsed&crushed eggshells, etc. (plus the
other usual non-food items). I don't add any cooked or prepared food
leftovers unless they contain no butter, oil, salt, (salad dressing)
because I don't want any grease or salt in my compost.(snip)


Why do you go to such lengths to eliminate salt and grease from your
compost? There are natural oils in many plants and natural salts in many
soils, so I reckon naturally formed humus/compost/soil must contain
both. Going by the state of my windows, the soil on this island must get
drenched in sea salt all winter but remains very fertile :-)

Janet.(Isle of Arran)

nambucca 08-03-2004 07:52 PM

Compost cooked food?
 

"Trevor Tyrrell" wrote in message
news:4kL2c.3018$54.1804@newsfe1-win...
I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not

meat!)

Why is this - what difference could it make?

Thanks


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.601 / Virus Database: 382 - Release Date: 29/02/2004


The issue of what and what not to compost is more a question of rodent
attraction than quality of compost
If your compost bins are solid and rodent proof then theres no reason why
you cant compost everything
If not then make a worm bin from a plastic dustbin with a tight lid because
in 10 years rodents have not eaten into mine which are fed with every single
kitchen scrap going cooked or uncooked including meat /bones/fish etc



Nick Maclaren 08-03-2004 07:53 PM

Compost cooked food?
 

In article ,
Janet Baraclough.. writes:
|
| Why do you go to such lengths to eliminate salt and grease from your
| compost? There are natural oils in many plants and natural salts in many
| soils, so I reckon naturally formed humus/compost/soil must contain
| both. Going by the state of my windows, the soil on this island must get
| drenched in sea salt all winter but remains very fertile :-)

This goes back to the old saw of sowing land with salt to render
it infertile. In a location where evaporation exceeds precipitation,
that works. However, in the UK, precipitation exceeds evaporation
everywhere, and by a considerable margin in your case :-)


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Derek Turner 08-03-2004 07:53 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
On Sun, 7 Mar 2004 20:22:38 +0000 (UTC), "Robert"
wrote:

: I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not
: meat!)


One good reason is that it can attract rats and another is that it all
settles into a 'mush' that does not allow air in for the proper composting
to occur

OTOH a womery will quite happily take all the cooked food, hoover bags
etc. that you can throw at it. Not either/or but both/and?
Derek

nambucca 08-03-2004 07:53 PM

Compost cooked food?
 

"Trevor Tyrrell" wrote in message
news:4kL2c.3018$54.1804@newsfe1-win...
I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not

meat!)

Why is this - what difference could it make?

Thanks


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.601 / Virus Database: 382 - Release Date: 29/02/2004


The issue of what and what not to compost is more a question of rodent
attraction than quality of compost
If your compost bins are solid and rodent proof then theres no reason why
you cant compost everything
If not then make a worm bin from a plastic dustbin with a tight lid because
in 10 years rodents have not eaten into mine which are fed with every single
kitchen scrap going cooked or uncooked including meat /bones/fish etc



Janet Baraclough.. 08-03-2004 07:53 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
The message
from Frogleg contains these words:

I have a vegetarian compost pile. That is, only raw veg and fruit
trimmings, coffee grounds, rinsed&crushed eggshells, etc. (plus the
other usual non-food items). I don't add any cooked or prepared food
leftovers unless they contain no butter, oil, salt, (salad dressing)
because I don't want any grease or salt in my compost.(snip)


Why do you go to such lengths to eliminate salt and grease from your
compost? There are natural oils in many plants and natural salts in many
soils, so I reckon naturally formed humus/compost/soil must contain
both. Going by the state of my windows, the soil on this island must get
drenched in sea salt all winter but remains very fertile :-)

Janet.(Isle of Arran)

Nick Maclaren 08-03-2004 07:54 PM

Compost cooked food?
 

In article ,
Janet Baraclough.. writes:
|
| Why do you go to such lengths to eliminate salt and grease from your
| compost? There are natural oils in many plants and natural salts in many
| soils, so I reckon naturally formed humus/compost/soil must contain
| both. Going by the state of my windows, the soil on this island must get
| drenched in sea salt all winter but remains very fertile :-)

This goes back to the old saw of sowing land with salt to render
it infertile. In a location where evaporation exceeds precipitation,
that works. However, in the UK, precipitation exceeds evaporation
everywhere, and by a considerable margin in your case :-)


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Derek Turner 08-03-2004 07:55 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
On Sun, 7 Mar 2004 20:22:38 +0000 (UTC), "Robert"
wrote:

: I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not
: meat!)


One good reason is that it can attract rats and another is that it all
settles into a 'mush' that does not allow air in for the proper composting
to occur

OTOH a womery will quite happily take all the cooked food, hoover bags
etc. that you can throw at it. Not either/or but both/and?
Derek

nambucca 08-03-2004 07:55 PM

Compost cooked food?
 

"Trevor Tyrrell" wrote in message
news:4kL2c.3018$54.1804@newsfe1-win...
I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not

meat!)

Why is this - what difference could it make?

Thanks


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.601 / Virus Database: 382 - Release Date: 29/02/2004


The issue of what and what not to compost is more a question of rodent
attraction than quality of compost
If your compost bins are solid and rodent proof then theres no reason why
you cant compost everything
If not then make a worm bin from a plastic dustbin with a tight lid because
in 10 years rodents have not eaten into mine which are fed with every single
kitchen scrap going cooked or uncooked including meat /bones/fish etc



Janet Baraclough.. 08-03-2004 08:00 PM

Compost cooked food?
 
The message
from Frogleg contains these words:

I have a vegetarian compost pile. That is, only raw veg and fruit
trimmings, coffee grounds, rinsed&crushed eggshells, etc. (plus the
other usual non-food items). I don't add any cooked or prepared food
leftovers unless they contain no butter, oil, salt, (salad dressing)
because I don't want any grease or salt in my compost.(snip)


Why do you go to such lengths to eliminate salt and grease from your
compost? There are natural oils in many plants and natural salts in many
soils, so I reckon naturally formed humus/compost/soil must contain
both. Going by the state of my windows, the soil on this island must get
drenched in sea salt all winter but remains very fertile :-)

Janet.(Isle of Arran)

Trevor Tyrrell 09-03-2004 04:15 AM

Compost cooked food?
 
OK, so how do the rats know you've cooked it? Maybe they're watching
through the kitchen window. Must be tapping my phone line. I knew we
shouldn't have gone away from BT. That must be why 136,000 people have gone
back since Christmas. Rats.


"Robert" wrote in message
...
: I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not
: meat!)
:
: Why is this - what difference could it make?
:
: Thanks
:
:

One good reason is that it can attract rats and another is that it all
settles into a 'mush' that does not allow air in for the proper composting
to occur

..



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.601 / Virus Database: 382 - Release Date: 29/02/2004



Trevor Tyrrell 09-03-2004 04:15 AM

Compost cooked food?
 
OK, so how do the rats know you've cooked it? Maybe they're watching
through the kitchen window. Must be tapping my phone line. I knew we
shouldn't have gone away from BT. That must be why 136,000 people have gone
back since Christmas. Rats.


"Robert" wrote in message
...
: I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously not
: meat!)
:
: Why is this - what difference could it make?
:
: Thanks
:
:

One good reason is that it can attract rats and another is that it all
settles into a 'mush' that does not allow air in for the proper composting
to occur

..



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.601 / Virus Database: 382 - Release Date: 29/02/2004



Robert 10-03-2004 04:19 AM

Compost cooked food?
 
:
:
: "Robert" wrote in message
: ...
::: I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously
::: not meat!)
:::
::: Why is this - what difference could it make?
:::
::: Thanks
:::
:::
::
:: One good reason is that it can attract rats and another is that it
:: all settles into a 'mush' that does not allow air in for the proper
:: composting to occur
::
:: ..: OK, so how do the rats know you've cooked it? Maybe they're watching
: through the kitchen window. Must be tapping my phone line. I knew we
: shouldn't have gone away from BT. That must be why 136,000 people
: have gone back since Christmas. Rats.

Naa you're mixing up yer rats with yer moles!


Robert South West England



Robert 10-03-2004 04:20 AM

Compost cooked food?
 
:
:
: "Robert" wrote in message
: ...
::: I've been told not to compost cooked food (vegetables - obviously
::: not meat!)
:::
::: Why is this - what difference could it make?
:::
::: Thanks
:::
:::
::
:: One good reason is that it can attract rats and another is that it
:: all settles into a 'mush' that does not allow air in for the proper
:: composting to occur
::
:: ..: OK, so how do the rats know you've cooked it? Maybe they're watching
: through the kitchen window. Must be tapping my phone line. I knew we
: shouldn't have gone away from BT. That must be why 136,000 people
: have gone back since Christmas. Rats.

Naa you're mixing up yer rats with yer moles!


Robert South West England




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