Putting weeds into a compost heap???

[bojangles]

Im getting a bit confused over the corrert way to do composting. I know no roots should go in there I've got enough weeds already on my plot!!

So would it work just the leaves etc into it?? I've been bagging up all the bindweed roots to burn them. I have thristie docks,nettles and creeping danion sp?? Now that the back part of my plot have fully grown back into the weed field gutted a bit but I cant do evrything at once. I would like to get the compost bin going propley ready for next year. Thanks

[Peas'n'Kews]

You can put things like dandelion, bindweed, and couch grass roots onto your compost if you leave to dry out first.

Actually, for bindweed, not sure if you should even put the leaves on without drying them first....

Sounds like you have a major task on you hands - good luck!

[rustylady]

You can put any leaves into the heap, except bindweed cos that will root from short lengths of stem. I chop the roots off dandelions and thistles and leave them to dry out but put the leaves in the compost bin. Annual weeds like chickweed can go in roots and all.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I'm laughing at these optimists hoping to dry things out.v Be careful out there folks, It's raining

[Two_Sheds]

I know no roots should go in there

Only the roots of perennial nasties, as has been said: dandelions, bindweed, couch grass etc.

They're full of nutrients though, so don't waste them: drown them in a bucket or pop into bottles to make a plant food, a la comfrey tea

creeping danion

Not sure what that is ... have you a photo?

[binley100]

I use my daleks for most weeds , and chuck water in to drown them . They won't go anywhere near the compost heap until after a year and then anything that still looks vaguely like will go back in the dalek. Horsetail either goes in a bucket of water or on the bonfire (evil nasty stuff )

[bojangles]

Thanks will now start to add weeds tom.

Twosheds yellow flowers havnt got a photo of it.

[Two_Sheds]

creeping danion

yellow flowers

Creeping, with yellow flowers... buttercup? celandine?

[rustylady]

Sounds like buttercups to me.

[leonmc0708]

on the patch of land thats re-weeded - cover it up with some thick weed membrane and the weeds will be dead hwen you are ready to work it in 6 months

[bojangles]

Here it is. This is before it got sraped and rovtaion. Havnt taken any of the back part I keep forgeting!!

[Two_Sheds]

I can't see from the photo, I need a close up to be sure... but I think it's sow thistle

[sweetcorn]

How long do you have to drown bindweed and horsetail before they're safe to go on the compost???

[Paulottie]

Think TS meant that you make a cold stew for a couple of weeks and then use the liquid diluted as a fertilizer. (as these weeds are very deep rooted and pull up nutrients from far deeper than you average veg can reach).

[taff]

leave them in till they're black or slimy to make sure, so at least 2 weeks.