How to Compost Weeds Without Actually Planting Them
For those new to composting, figuring out what goes in and what goes in can be a daunting task. And if you’re into composting, chances are you’re also doing other things in the yard, like gardening or landscaping, which means you’re dealing with weeds.
So naturally the question arises as to whether it is possible to compost the weeds you pull up without accidentally planting them and causing them to grow more. Luckily, it does, and here’s what you need to know.
How to compost weeds
When it comes to composting weeds, Linda Brewer, a faculty member at Oregon State University, has a rule : never put anything you no longer need in the compost pile, including weed seeds and diseased plant tissue. So to avoid this, she takes the time to remove seeds (even immature ones) and weed roots before composting them, and throws them in the trash instead.
As for weed roots, you can also try a process called “drying,” which essentially bakes your roots using the heat of the sun. Instead of throwing them away, put weed roots on concrete or corrugated iron – the idea is to keep them off the ground. In the summer, let them bake for two to three weeks, after which the roots should be firm and safe to be included in the compost heap.
Weeds to completely avoid composting
There are some weeds that grow so well that even if you remove the seeds, they can still (and often do) somehow find a way to grow. Here are some examples:
- Horse tail (equisetum)
- Bindweed
- Canadian thistle
- Ipomoea
- Buttercups
- bermuda grass
- sour
- wheatgrass
- crabgrass
If you have a hot compost heap , the heat may be enough to prevent the seeds and roots of these weeds from growing. But since most home gardeners have cold compost heaps, these weeds are best left out.