Composting weeds

tuffnelljohn

Hi

Ive been deweeding. Is it ok to put these in my compost bin? They havnt gone to seed yet, (although some are in flower). So is it ok?

Thanks

Ladybird4

I add annual weeds to my compost and the tops of perennials as in some cases their roots can regrow. In both cases I do not add seed heads.

B3

It depends on the weed. Do you know what you've got?

tuffnelljohn

Yes - I have buttercups, Quackgrass and Crabgrass, bindweed, ground elder, milkweed.

Theres also another weed that is really being a nuisance but I cant find any images on Google to identify it.

borgadr

Honestly I wouldn't take any chances with bindweed or ground elder.  Those kinds of weeks I don't over-think it - straight into the brown council bin!  

Fairygirl

I'd agree @borgadr. I have neither of those here, but there would be no chance of those going in a compost bin if I did. 
I don't put roots of pernicious perennial weeds in, and no seed heads. That includes little bits of grass that have invaded any areas. I often just leave any troublesome weeds to dry out somewhere first, to make sure they're done. Or I put them in the council collection. 

Ilikeplants

My lawn is full of buttercups and other grass weeds. When it gets mowed those weeds are in with the grass clippings into the compost heap so I guess weeds will end up in there.

Skandi

I put everything in the compost including couchgrass, dandilions etc.

my heaps do not heat up enough to kill everything but when they are full I cover them so they are dark and everything dies within a few months.

Redwing

tuffnelljohn said:

Hi

Ive been deweeding. Is it ok to put these in my compost bin? They havnt gone to seed yet, (although some are in flower). So is it ok?

Thanks

The compost heap/bin is the best place for them.  The only things I leave out are bindweed roots and cooch grass roots, dandelion roots are somewhat iffy, nettle roots ok.  Weed seeds you will never be able to eliminate, no matter how hard you try, and they will germinate later unless you are able to make hot compost, which most of us are not.