We've just taken on a majorly overgrown plot (pics on 'news' subforum). Am very excited but know its going to be hard work. What I'm wondering is what we should do with the weeds on the plot - there's loads of nettle and couch grass and other weeds that I'm not sure of the name. There's bindweed at the edge but none on the area that we're clearing just now. Also have loads of comfrey growing everywhere, which I know can be useful but there's so much of it.
What should we do once we've hacked all the weeds down? Can I compost them? Any tips would be greatly appreciated as we're going to end up with a mountain of weeds over the next few weeks. We have an industrial estate nearby and a near endless supply of pallets so are planning to build some compost bins from these but are unsure as to what we can put in out of what we're clearing.
I read somewhere on here about bagging weeds and letting them rot down then composting but darned if I can find it now...
Shona :)
I found this thread that should help! I'm sure that there are others.
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,53300.0.html
hi shonam
burn the couch...compost the rest
and all the best on your new venture ....it will all fall into place...for 2010
JTW
Seperate the comfrey for comfrey tea but be warned it stinks :-X Definitely burn the couch roots and any bindweed you come across...
chrisc
Personally at this time of year i would burn the lot. At this time of year the weeds Will have seed on them and they will lie dormant in the compost then come back to haunt you when you put it on the land
Weeds can be a really great source of plant nutrition (via the compost heap) if you can separate the bad bits from the good.
I treat the roots, leaves and stems and any flowering heads/seeds separately:
Leaves and stems - just about all of these make good compost material (bindweed stems though can sometimes regenerate so these are the exception).
Roots - Couch grass, Dandelions and Dock roots can regenerate from the smallest section, so try and separate these intact and burn/bin. All others can go on the compost heap - but bury them deep so you can be more certain they will rot. Comfrey will regenerate too so chop/mash it up finely before composting.
Flowering heads (that is buds, flowers and any seeds) - separate and burn/bin or risk them surviving the composting and getting spread all over your veg patch.
Quote from: GodfreyRob on August 31, 2009, 08:04:10
Weeds can be a really great source of plant nutrition (via the compost heap) if you can separate the bad bits from the good.
I treat the roots, leaves and stems and any flowering heads/seeds separately:
Leaves and stems - just about all of these make good compost material (bindweed stems though can sometimes regenerate so these are the exception).
Roots - Couch grass, Dandelions and Dock roots can regenerate from the smallest section, so try and separate these intact and burn/bin. All others can go on the compost heap - but bury them deep so you can be more certain they will rot. Comfrey will regenerate too so chop/mash it up finely before composting.
Flowering heads (that is buds, flowers and any seeds) - separate and burn/bin or risk them surviving the composting and getting spread all over your veg patch.
agree completely, this is how i attack weeds as well. when my garden was overgrown and i think its the size of a full plot. whenever i was clearing a part i had three large containers, one for the burn heap, one for tea making (perennial roots and bindweed) and one for the compost bin (annual weeds minus seed heads and all other stems and leaves).
stick the couch, roots and all in a bucket of water, makes a good fungicide..stinks like comfrey though ;D
put thick cardboard on the bottom of your compost heaps, it helps stop weeds coming through