Composting salsify scraps with worms
Scraps from salsify, also called ‘poor man’s asparagus’, can be added to your Bonter worm bin. Due to their fibrous and sometimes woody structure, they require a bit more time and attention to compost than softer types of vegetables.
Can salsify go in your worm bin?
Yes, salsify scraps are suitable for your Bonter worm bin, but they break down slowly. Salsify are root vegetables that can be quite fibrous and sometimes even a bit woody, especially the harder ends and peels. This means that breakdown proceeds slower than with most other kitchen scraps. They are not harmful to the worms but remain present in the bin longer while the worms and microbes gradually work on them.
How much salsify can you add?
Add salsify scraps in moderation to your Bonter. Limit the quantity of peels and snippets at a time. It is crucial to make them very small and mix them well with other, faster-digesting waste and sufficient dry, carbon-rich bedding material (cardboard, paper). Due to the slow breakdown, it is important not to add too much at once and to wait until previous additions have largely disappeared.
What to do instead? Alternatives & waste management
Because salsify can go in the worm bin in moderation, you can compost small scraps perfectly well. Thick peels or hard ends that you don’t want to compost can (after cooking the salsify itself) be used to make broth. This gives a subtle, nutty flavor. A traditional outdoor compost heap is also a suitable place for salsify scraps where they have enough time to break down. Try to prevent waste by utilizing scraps culinarily where possible.
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Tips for safe salsify composting
The most important tip for salsify scraps is size reduction! Cut the peels and fibrous ends as small as possible, preferably into snippets less than 1 cm. This increases the surface area and significantly speeds up decomposition. Mix the salsify snippets with other waste and bury it well under the top layer of the bedding material. Be patient, as you will likely see the fibrous parts of salsify longer in the bin than most other vegetable scraps. Your Bonter filters odors effectively.
I’m Mats, founder of Bonter, and I’m on a mission to make indoor composting effortless, ensuring sustainability becomes second nature in your home.
Join 340+ early adopters
Frequently asked questions about composting salsify
Can salsify peels go in the worm bin?
Yes, salsify peels can go in the worm bin, provided they are cut or grated very small and added in moderation. They are fibrous and decompose slowly.
How quickly does salsify decompose in the worm bin?
Do I need to make salsify small before I add it?
Can the sticky substance from salsify be a problem in the worm bin?
Can cooked salsify scraps go in the worm bin?
Discover more
easy wins for your bin
See how effortlessly your vermicomposter handles common kitchen scraps. These items are favorites of your composting crew and simply transform waste into a valuable resource.