rot
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Posts: 728
Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:15 am
Location: Ventura County, CA, Sunset 23

Vinegar in Compost Pile - OK in the Compost?

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We've been using a lot of vinegar lately for cleaning.

Can vinegar water be added to compost? I hate to pour it down the drain.
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GeorgiaGirl
Senior Member
Posts: 228
Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 2:08 pm
Location: Metro Atlanta, GA (zone 7)

I compost weeds that I've killed with vinegar, after reading things like this about vinegar in compost:

"Vinegar, with its low pH and many trace minerals is good for the soil and the compost pile. Compost tends to be on the alkaline side and our black and white soils certainly are. Even acid soil won't be injured by the vinegar unless it is grossly overused."

So I'd say yeah. :D I wouldn't dump huge quantities of straight vinegar in, for fear of messing with the pH too much, but diluted vinegar water that had been used for cleaning, I can't imagine there would be an issue.

rot
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Posts: 728
Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:15 am
Location: Ventura County, CA, Sunset 23

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Thanks.

I think one situation I will avoid will be any case where I might have worms. I have some hot bins with no worms so I will consider those safe. I remember reading that worms don't like citrus - too acidic - so I assume a sudden influx of vinegar can't be endearing to worms either.

Thanks again.
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