Is it possible to compost my weeds? This is a common question among new composters. This is an essential concern because when you add compost to your garden beds, you risk bringing undesired plants. The key is to make sure no live weed seeds or roots make it through the procedure.
Is it possible to compost weeds?
The danger of having weeds in your compost bin is that they may end up in your garden. That’s why effective weed management is important. Seeds and roots that make it through the composting process may show up in your beds. Occasionally, this entails obtaining a small volunteer tomato plant or a zucchini. It's a lot less fun when the volunteers are weeds. You've just made weeding more difficult.
This isn't to say that weeds can't be composted. It becomes pretty heated in the compost pile as the plants decay. Weed seeds will die if the temperature is high enough, and they will not be an issue later. However, the pile may not become heated enough, and there may be cooler patches where weeds thrive.
What is the best way to compost weeds?
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Weed compost can be entirely harmless and full of beneficial nutrients. The key is hot composting, which involves heating the compost to a temperature high enough to kill any seeds or roots. Here's how to go about it:
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Turn the pile on a regular basis to ensure that everything in the pile reaches the hot zone in the center.
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Allow your compost pile to warm up before adding any new plant material. If you have more stuff to compost before the first is finished, start a second pile.
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Using a compost thermometer, check the temperature. It should achieve a temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degree Celsius).
Composting weeds in a different way
Making weeds into a liquid fertilizer is another approach to put them to use without risking getting their viable seeds into the compost. Weeds should be soaked in water for about a month before being strained. The resulting liquid can be diluted and safely applied to beds to add nutrients.
You can also use fruits for compost.
