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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: kippers garden on April 19, 2009, 08:17:49

Title: How to compost perennial weeds?
Post by: kippers garden on April 19, 2009, 08:17:49
I started my allotment 4 years ago and when i start i piled all my perennial weeds in a massive compost bin made of 8 pallets (my allotment was very overgrown).  I covered it and now i have beautiful compost but it obviously took up a lot of room.

For the past two years i have been taking bag after bag of perennial weeds to the tip (so they can compost them) but this seems such a waste.  How do other people get round this? (I tend to have lots of dandylions and couch grass thanks to my neighbour who hardly ever visits).

Can i use my black 'darlek' bin just for perennial weeds?
Title: Re: How to compost perennial weeds?
Post by: thifasmom on April 19, 2009, 08:38:06
i dont see why not :)
Title: Re: How to compost perennial weeds?
Post by: terrier on April 19, 2009, 09:59:11
If you've got a tub big enough, half fill i with water and 'drown' the weeds (as long as they havn't gone to seed). After a couple of months, compost the solids and use the water as a plant feed.
Title: Re: How to compost perennial weeds?
Post by: tonybloke on April 19, 2009, 11:59:12
room is usually not an issue on allotments! go for the large compost heaps, they generate enough heat to kill any weeds!! ;)
Title: Re: How to compost perennial weeds?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on April 19, 2009, 16:22:27
If the compost takes up too much room, dig some of it in. Most of us deal with that one by recycling the stuff, it's what it's for.
Title: Re: How to compost perennial weeds?
Post by: kt. on April 20, 2009, 00:03:58
I have always just dried my perennial weeds and burnt them.
Title: Re: How to compost perennial weeds?
Post by: artichoke on April 20, 2009, 11:56:53
Sorry about the repetition but I tie them up in heavy old plastic sacks and stack them out of the way in a hedge for a couple of years. Then dig them back in as compost. Makes me feel better about horrible couch grass, creeping buttercups, docks, dandelions, nettles etc etc etc.
Title: Re: How to compost perennial weeds?
Post by: Multiveg on April 20, 2009, 12:34:44
Quote from: terrier on April 19, 2009, 09:59:11
If you've got a tub big enough, half fill i with water and 'drown' the weeds (as long as they havn't gone to seed). After a couple of months, compost the solids and use the water as a plant feed.

Pegs!!!! Be prepared for some serious aroma.....
Title: Re: How to compost perennial weeds?
Post by: redimp on April 20, 2009, 19:56:19
Quote from: artichoke on April 20, 2009, 11:56:53
Sorry about the repetition but I tie them up in heavy old plastic sacks and stack them out of the way in a hedge for a couple of years. Then dig them back in as compost. Makes me feel better about horrible couch grass, creeping buttercups, docks, dandelions, nettles etc etc etc.
I do that too but have run out of old compost bags (inside out) and am now resorting to black rubble sacks (the tough ones)
Title: Re: How to compost perennial weeds?
Post by: flytrapman on April 21, 2009, 13:11:10
I use the same method as terrier
you get free plant food as a bonus