Weeds...

[olicat]

which weeds can be composted and which ones can't?? Any advice will be appreciated as i am complete newbie and can hardly tell the difference between weeds and plants!!

[olicat]

[daileg]

try www.digmyplot.co.uk i thought it was very helpfull as in seeing what the difference was between the weeds

[Old bird]

Most weeds can be composted except ones with roots (I think they are called tap roots but I could be wrong) like dandelions, and docks.  Also bindweed is a pain so I wouldn't put any of the root of that in.   In theory buttercups keep going - but it depends on how well your compost heap is working.  It you have a good heat going this should get rid of most weeds including seeds!

Some people suggest putting the bad weeds like the dandelions, docks and bindweed into a black sack and shut them away for 6 months and then you will find that they have composted - although I have never tried this.

Good luck with your composting anyway Olicat!

Old Bird

;D

[manicscousers]

we stick the docks and nettles, roots washed, in with the feed, steeped in water, I've fond they don't swim well  ;D

[antipodes]

I do the black bag trick and  it works well.
Put all the weeds in a black bag and put them in a corner somewhere and forget about them (In hot weather out in the blazing sun is a good tip). After a couple of months you will find that the contents have turned into a black sludgy mess and you tip that on the compost heap. I can't see how much would survive that treament!!
I especially do it with the spring weeds I dig out when I plant as they have sucked the first nutrients out of the soil - I want that back!!!

[northener]

Thanks Daileg you've just helped me id Coltsfoot.

[Kea]

Antipodes I've got one thing that has survived the black bag treatment in a few cases....Bindweed.

[olicat]

Thanks everyone for your help... just got back from seeing my plot for the first time...not too bad at the front, but a load of that weed that sticks your clothes at the back... loads of digging i think!

[flowerlady]

never  >:( never  >:( never  >:( ever  >:(  put bindweed into a compost heap :o ... not even fom water or black smelly bag!!   ;D ;D ;D

Chuck it onto the path dry it to a crisp and BURN IT !!!

By this you will gather I do not like bind weed ... having dug out a 3 metre strand of it in the past you will understand why !!!  ;D 8)

[Si D]

Would you recommend the black bag methods for couch grass, complete with its roots?

[flowerlady]

Would you recommend the black bag methods for couch grass, complete with its roots?

Did you know that couch hates turnips ???

[twinkletoes]

..... I'm not too keen on turnips myself....... ::) ;D
twinkletoes