Weed identification help please...

[princess_potter]

Hi all,

I have just landed myself a brand new allotment and am the first to be on it. Its all very exciting and thought at first glance that it was simply covered by long grass alone except a few docs which had creeped over the back fence. After spending my first day there yesterday however I have found a few different species in the grass. I am clueless about these so hope you lovely people might be able to identify what they are; or at least tell me if they can go in the compost bin without giving myself a future headache! The site was a fallow field before a community group purchased the land to make allotments and a play area if that helps?

[veggiechicken]

Looks like :-
Top left - Creeping buttercup
Top right - ? sorrel
Bottom - ?

I wouldn't put roots or seeds of the first 2 in the compost - only leaves.


Someone with better ideas will be along shortly

[VolesAteMyPeas]

I agree with the buttercup. The bottom one however isn't mares tail (you'll be pleased to hear). It's yarrow. The third one, I don't know. I definitely wouldn't put creeping buttercup on the compost heap. It spreads like mad from tiny pieces and unless you can guarantee a really hot compost bin, I wouldn't risk it! You can drown them first though.

[Martin H]

My guesses are the same: buttercup, sorrel and yarrow. If so then they are all vigorous but not hard to get rid of if you keep after them.

It would be easier to be certain if we could see the complete plants, though?

[veggiechicken]

Thanks both for the Yarrow suggestion. I thought it wasn't MT because of the white stem but couldn't think of an alternative
I've taken it out of my post before more people come along and call me a confused old hen

[Scarlet]

I've taken it out of my post before more people come along and call me a confused old hen

Ha! As if we would!

[VolesAteMyPeas]

Through my plot I've become a rather reluctant aficionado of mares tail. I also think it follows me. Since I waged war upon it, I see it everywhere I go. It's staking me out, I know it.

[princess_potter]

Thanks all, I was hand shearing the grass when I came across these bits so had hacked at most of the plant already! I won't risk anything on the heap to be on the safe side.

[Martin H]

I won't risk anything on the heap to be on the safe side.

Personally I do it the other way round: everything goes on the heap unless I have really good reasons not to. The way I see it, the worst that can happen is that a piece of weed will start growing in the heap and I'll have to take it out again when I empty the heap and spread it on the plot.

So about the only things that don't go on there are unwanted or infected potato tubers or carrots.

I'd definitely be putting leaves of every possible weed on there.