Can I put milk on the compost heap?

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Mo
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Can I put milk on the compost heap?

Post by Mo »

I have a pint of milk that I don't want to drink (bought a 4pint orange stickered and about to be chucked, 13p and have used most of it). Will it benefit or harm the compost heap?
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KathJ
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Re: Can I put milk on the compost heap?

Post by KathJ »

Hi Mo, I don't really know but would it not start to smell when it's turning???
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lancashire lass
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Re: Can I put milk on the compost heap?

Post by lancashire lass »

It probably depends on how much milk but you can just drain it out on to the soil rather than specifically into a compost heap. Milk high in protein and calcium will just break down in the soil by bacteria and release nutrients so all good. Found a link here: Milk as Fertilizer

As for risk of smells, maybe if the compost heap is open to weathering (rather than one of those dalek ones with a lid), it should be fine. Having saying that, throughout the summer months I had been tipping the morning tinkle into my composting bin with all the card and paper and peelings every day and I was surprised that not once did it ever smell like a toilet. Now that the weather is cooling down, lots of natural soil bacteria will be slowing down so I'll wait until spring before starting it up again.
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Mo
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Re: Can I put milk on the compost heap?

Post by Mo »

Thanks for that link. I can't see me buying milk to put on plants but very occasionally I get some that's gone off. It works well in scones too (if just turning), but I couldn't use it all up this time.

I wouldn't notice if it did smell, as my dalek is at the bottom of a very long garden.
Dance caller. http://mo-dance-caller.blogspot.co.uk/p/what-i-do.html
Sunny Clucker enjoyed Folk music and song in mid-Cheshire
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