On 5/7/04 12:52 PM, in article , "Broadback"
wrote:

I don't know a lot, but I do know that it is undesirable to put weeds
like couch grass into a compost bin, as they will survive and grow when
the compost is spread.
I have read here that they can be "drowned" and then composted, how long
do they need to be submersed? Also if they are young freshly seeded, as
opposed to root spread is it safe to compost them then?
TIA
John
Hi John
Any weeds that I have, I put on black plastic and allow the sun to do
it's work. I was concerned about the rain water that landed and created
puddles on the black plastic-concerned that it would feed the unwanted roots
the water they would need to survive and grow.
I found that the sun heated the black plastic which in turn heated the
water to temperatures unhealthy to weed plants of all sorts.
Another method I have used is to hang them out to dry. I use a fencing
material much like chicken wire. Attach the wire to something that keeps it
off the ground. If there is soil on the root system, put the whole assembly
over the garden...worms will drop to the ground. We don't want to kill them,
they are too valuable.
After the weeds have dried throw them in the compost or bury them as
green manure.
I tried the drowning them in water method...I thought it would work and
it should and will. The methods above are faster.
One thing I didn't do was to put them in a black pail with water and put
that in the sun...with a lid. That will work...and be smelly! Perfect for
the worms in your compost bin. To them it is gourmet lunch! Have you noticed
that worms like rotten stuff?
Gary
Fort Langley, BC
Canada

To reply direct Please remove...yoursocks...