Question
Can I put partially decomposed fruits and vegetables directly on my garden without posing a hazard to my health when I eat the vegetables from my garden? I was pureeing my unused fruits and vegetables in my food processor and pouring the liquid onto the dirt in my garden. Is this safe, or do I risk illnesses from the partially decomposed food?

Answer
Researchers have found that the common fruit fly is capable of contaminating fruit with bacteria known to cause diseases in humans.  But I know of no study that traces any pathogens in contaminated crops back to fruit or vegetable compost where it was grown and harvested.

But there is a potential problem with trying to enrich your Soil with uncomposted produce.

Normally, Carbon-rich 'Brown' organic matter like wood, dead leaves and eggshells are mixed with Nitrogen-rich 'Green' organic matter that is combined in a ratio of 25:1.  Fungi and Bacteria decompose organic matter.  But they only do that if they have an ample supply of air -- Oxygen.  Remove O and those decomposers are stuck.  That's what happens when you bury fruits and vegetables.  They get stuck.

Yes, it's tempting.

No, don't do it.

Not because you don't want to spread disease.  But because you want your raw materials to be transformed efficiently into Compost and THEN applied to your vegetable garden.  Burying them in Soil won't cut the mustard.  Your followups welcome if needed.  Thanks for writing.

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER