Can Raisins Be Used in a Compost Pile?

Seeds

• Commercial raisins are usually seedless, but if you make grapes yourself from a seeded variety, the seeds may survive the composting process to sprout in the garden. Although this scenario is unlikely, either compost seedless raisins only, or pull up any sprouts that appear in unwanted places in the yard.

Composting Time

• Because raisins are dried, they lack the moisture that causes most fruit to break down quickly. When placed in a compost heap, they may take a bit more time than wet materials to break down. In a properly heated and aerated pile, they'll break down adequately though. Mix them thoroughly with other ingredients -- and don't add more than 2 cups of raisins at one time.

Pests

• Gardeners may worry that raisins will attract mice or other vermin to the compost heap, but raisins are no more likely to attract mice than other fruit or fruit rinds. If you've composted sliced melon rinds successfully, you should have no problem with raisins. Another option is to compost in a closed container, such as a commercial composting bin or a trash can with holes drilled in it.

Bottom Line

• Any material, when added in large amounts to the compost heap, may not readily decompose. Add raisins to a compost heap that contains roughly equal parts of dry and wet materials. Mix the raisins into the pile so they begin heating up. Water the compost heap frequently to keep it slightly moist.