When you are eating your vegetables or fruits, you might not have time for their skins and will surely throw them away. Sometimes, you will not need to eat the fruits and might end up juicing them, whereby, again, you will not have time for the leftover pulp.
Well, it is time you change your mindset because that pulp, that you are about to throw away before you consume your fresh juice, might be of great value than you think. It mainly acts as an additive to the soil, whether or not through compost. This article will discuss composting juice pulp and its benefits for the garden.
Can Juice Pulp Go in the Compost?
Definitely. Juice pulp should not go into a waste container, but rather, ought to be composted. The fibrous pulp breaks down quite quickly and infuses your compost with a variety of nutrients. Once they have fully decomposed inside the composting bin, they will be a healthy addition to the soil, resulting in robust and high-yielding plants.
The pulp can also be added to the garden soil directly from the juicer, but the better choice is to compost it and allow it to decompose before adding it to your plants.
When you add juice pulp to a compost pile, it adds to the volume of materials that the pile already contains and provides fresh plant material that decomposes quickly because you have processed it into a slurry.
The pulp also decomposes more quickly than the same vegetable or fruit, whether chopped or whole. When you use finished compost in your garden, it provides your plants with nutrients, adds oxygen and improves the soil texture.
Unfortunately, when you add juice pulp to the compost, it will surely attract unwanted pests like insects. Fruits in particular attract fruit flies, snails and possibly rats. They could also attract other warm-blooded creatures like deer, and rabbits especially if added directly to the garden without composting first.
This is why juice pulp ought to be combined with other organic materials such as fallen leaves and grass clippings, to make for a more nutritious compost that can be added to your plants as compared to if it was added as pulp alone. Juice pulp can also be added to worm composting where the worms deed on the pulp, resulting in a healthy compost.
Worm compost is better than cold compost in that it is odor-free and is a good alternative for apartment dwellers who want to recycle their food waste but lack the space for a standard compost pile.
To effectively compost juice pulp, place a compost bin outside in a cool, shady spot. Be sure the composting bin has holes and can therefore allow for aeration of the entire process, thereby preventing foul odors.
You need to mix the pulp with layers of brown carbon-rich materials, like shredded brown papers, sticks, dried leaves, eggshells and sawdust. Also be sure to add other green nitrogen-rich materials such as other kitchen waste, lawn clippings, fresh manure and healthy plant scraps.
You should then mix the two and turn the compost every few days or weeks using a rake or shovel, or by using a compost tumbler in the first place. You also need to moisten the top layer regularly so that the process continues flawlessly.
If you do not turn or moisten the pile, it will take longer to compost. After a few weeks or months, your compost will be ready and your juice pulp will have served its purpose.
Is Juice Pulp Good for Plants?
Yes, juice pulp is good for plants. It is so good that it can be applied to plants, either through compost or directly as fertilizer. Fresh pulp is a handy addition to your compost bin and adds vital nutrients to the soil as well as promotes healthy mycorrhizal growth to give your garden a boost.
It also helps your soil produce healthy and high-yielding plants. If you happen to compost your juice pulp, be sure to stir or turn the compost, so that it fully decomposes.
Also, turning it avoids attracting bugs and other pests that could be a real nuisance. If you intend to add the pulp as fertilizer, consider mulching it into the soil around your plants and trees. this way, it acts as a fertilizer and releases nutrients directly to the plants.
It also promotes healthy fungal growth and provides food for soil-enriching worms. You can also mix the pulp with water in a watering can and sprinkle it around the soil and achieve the same results.
Can You Freeze Juice Pulp?
Yes, you can freeze excess juice pulp. The pulp can be stored in freezer bags or glass containers in the fridge or freezer for later use. You might not have plants growing in your garden at the moment or have ready ingredients to compost. That is the time you can freeze your pulp and add it to your compost when the time comes.
Also, if you do not have plans of using the pulp within 48 hours then it is best to freeze it immediately. If you intend to use your juice pulp for other purposes apart from composting or mulching, place it in a zip lock bag or a glass container with a tight lid and refrigerate it.
When the time comes, just defrost the frozen pulp and apply it to your meals or get creative as will be illustrated below. You can also compost it or add it to your crops if you do not have plans of using it on meals.
9 Amazing Ways to Reuse Leftover Juice Pulp
1. Make a veggie broth
Here is your chance to make and enjoy broth if you never have. If your juicing pulp consists of vegetables, such as celery, carrots, onion, and/or garlic, you can easily transform the pulp into a flavourful, savory vegetable broth.
You can use either fresh or frozen pulp for this recipe, but just make sure it has thawed before cooking. Cook the pulp in a large pot with some olive oil, and then add your favorite spices, fresh herbs, and a few cups of water until the mixture is boiling.
Reduce your heat and simmer for about 2 hours. Remove from heat, and let it cool slightly before straining. The juice pulp adds a great flavor, has some extra health benefits, and can be used as a base for any of your favorite soups and stews, or can be enjoyed on its own.
2. Make a delicious bread loaf
You can also use your juice pulp to make a delicious bread load. Simply add apple and carrot pulp to your favorite banana bread recipe for a sweet and healthy treat.
3. Mix it into baked goods
Adding your juicer pulp to baked goods will add moisture and fiber to your favorite recipes. It is ideal for use in cakes, quick bread, muffins, and even cookies. In some cases, you can even reduce the amount of olive oil or butter, creating a healthier alternative, and putting your pulp to good use. For the application of juice pulp in baked goods, stick to utilizing the pulp from sweeter, fruitier juicing foods, like apples, citrus, beets, carrots, melon, and grapes.
4. Use in popsicles
You can also use your leftover pulp to create a delicious treat for you, your customers, and your family. You simply need to take your leftover pulp and combine it with a little bit of the juice and pour them into popsicle molds or an ice tray.
Combining the pulp with the juice helps so that the flavor of the produce comes through once the pulp is frozen. You will then slide a wooden stick into the centre and let them freeze for at least four hours or until completely solid. There are so many different flavors you can play around with but try the refreshing lemonade juice recipe.
5. Make fruit tea
Simply boil your fruit pulp with water and add in extra spices like cinnamon and ginger. Let it cool and then strain and enjoy.
6. Make dog treats
If you cannot fathom the thought of eating the tough, mystery pulp concoction once everything is said and done, you probably have a furry friend who would happily do the honours. The dog treats can be made in batches and then stored in your dog’s treat jar, or you can make these for your customers to take home.
All you need is some two cups of juice pulp, one-third cup of natural peanut butter, a quarter-cup of ground flax and between three-quarters and one and a half cups of rolled oats. You can also mix the pulp into their meal or make homemade crackers for them to gnaw on.
Regardless, your dogs will enjoy and be glad you did that for them. However, take caution as some fruits and vegetables could be toxic to dogs, so make sure they are not included in your treats. They include onions, grapes and apple seeds, all of which are poisonous to dogs.
You should also stay away from citrus fruits as most dogs do not enjoy their taste. The recommendation to beat is pulp made from carrots, kale, cucumber, apple (with no seeds), lettuce, celery, spinach, melons, and pears.
7. Mix it into a cream cheese spread
You can also mix your fresh vegetable juice pulp with your favorite plain cream cheese, to make a delicious homemade vegetable cream cheese blend. It is an easy process and can be used on crackers, sandwiches, vegetables and more.
For those of you with a bit of a sweet tooth looking for a sweeter spread, mix in some fruit pulp to create your own creamy berry creation! To make your cream cheese spread, use a half cup of either fruit or vegetable pulp. If you are using fruit pulp, make sure the fruit is finely chopped or mashed.
Next, mix the pulp with about a cup of cream cheese. You can either do this by hand or use your mixer to lightly whip the cream cheese. You will then salt or season your dip to your liking and then place it in the fridge for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld properly.
8. Make homemade fruit leather
For those with extreme levels of patience and an abundance of free time, repurposing your juicer pulp to make your own healthy homemade fruit leather is a great snacking choice for the whole family.
Simply line a cookie sheet with wax paper, press and lay your fruit pulp evenly, place in a dehydrator or at your oven’s lowest setting, and finally cut it into strips and enjoy
9. Add to salads
You can also boost the fiber and flavor of your fresh salads by adding juice pulp. Be sure to enjoy it!
