Janet Baraclough wrote in
:

The message
from Bill R contains these words:

FragileWarrior wrote:
John Bachman wrote in
:



If you manage the compost so that it gets hot the weed seeds will
be killed.


Are you sure? Seems to me I remember one of the teachers in our MG
class saying that weed seeds can survive even the hottest compost
pile. In fact,
IIRC, the first things that return after a forest fire are the
weeds.

That depends on the local ecology. In areas where forest or
prairie
fires are common, some perennial seeds actually require scorching
before they can germinate, and garden growers have to simulate that
:-). But many annual garden weed seeds in cool temperate climates,
can't survive fire.

I think John should have said "MOST weed seeds will be killed". For
that reason I don't put anything that has seeds in my compost pile.

I have several compost heaps, at least two being filled at any one
time. One is specially for seedy weeds. Its a black plastic dalek
shape, in the sun, and gets very hot inside. The compost that comes
from it, is buried in holes underground; for filling bean trenches,
planting shrubs and such like. Most garden weed seeds require light to
germinate so, if any do survive composting, they've no hope of
germinating deep down under the soil surface.

Janet.


Now THAT'S an excellent idea!