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!!
try www.digmyplot.co.uk i thought it was very helpfull as in seeing what the difference was between the weeds
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
we stick the docks and nettles, roots washed, in with the feed, steeped in water, I've fond they don't swim well ;D
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!!!
Thanks Daileg you've just helped me id Coltsfoot.
Antipodes I've got one thing that has survived the black bag treatment in a few cases....Bindweed.
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!
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 !!! (http://bestsmileys.com/fire/1.gif)
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)
Would you recommend the black bag methods for couch grass, complete with its roots?
Quote from: Si D on June 13, 2008, 12:20:59
Would you recommend the black bag methods for couch grass, complete with its roots?
Did you know that couch hates turnips ???
..... I'm not too keen on turnips myself....... ::) ;D
twinkletoes