for the composters out there

[Henry]

How long would it usually take for fish scraps (bones, guts, etc) to decompose if buried a foot under?

 

[spector]

Not sure about a fish. I have buried expired chickens into my garden beds, probably about a foot down, and they are fully "incorporated" in less than six months. That is in a rich organic soil, probably lots of microbes at work. I put a rock on the burial spot so I don't accidentally dig them up and to discourage scavengers. I had a bunny who died of old age a few years back and I buried him in my regular clay soil. I found very little trace of him (just some fur tufts) after just a few months, when I decided to plant a tree on the spot, so not sure if the organic matter has much of an impact. With a full body, however, I did find that the soil was wetter in that area from the decomposing juices.

I imagine if you are just burying scraps, they would be incorporated within a month or two, but larger bones (i.e, salmon vs. trout) will take a while.

 

[Henry]

Thanks for letting me know. the fish has buried in a spot for decomposition and now I have to dig in that spot. it would have really sucked to get a nose full of decomposing fish while I dug.

 

[spector]

If it has been there a month or so, I doubt you will even notice it. But inquiring minds want to know!

 

[DTK]

Henry - what was the outcome? Keen to hear.