On Sun, 22 Aug 2004 18:39:30 GMT, "Crimson Castle"
wrote:

Hello,

I'm thinking of using my weeds as compost. But my gardener told me to forget
about it. He argues that its pointless placing the weeds into the compost
bin and then using them as mulch (in three months time or so) because the
seeds often don't die - and you end up seeding your garden with the darn
weed seeds. He now insists that only lawn grass clippings get placed into
the compost bin.... well that's another story.

I take a long-term view of things, and know that I will defeat the weeds
eventually. It's just a matter of persistence. I enjoy spending time in the
garden, even time spent weeding. That doesn't mean I'll deliberately waste time
weeding, but I do use weeded material in the compost. Once I even gathered up a
pile of thistles(complete with seed heads), shredded them, and made compost from
just thistles as an experiment. I watched the beds I used that compost on to see
if any thistles sprouted there. None did. The compost did cook pretty good for
the first few days after I ran it through the shredder.

Crimson Castle wrote:

I don't actually mind weeds - but their problem is that they thrive in my
garden and overwhelm my flowers and other plants.

Problem solved. Grow the more colourful weeds or the more edible ones
{:-)

In article ,
"Crimson Castle" wrote:

I'm thinking of using my weeds as compost. But my gardener told me to forget
about it. He argues that its pointless placing the weeds into the compost
bin and then using them as mulch (in three months time or so) because the
seeds often don't die - and you end up seeding your garden with the darn
weed seeds.

Given that you have a black plastic bin, the bin should heat the seeds up
enough to kill them. Secondly, consider how much work we are talking about
here. Are the weeds you're gettign difficult to remove? If yes, then avoid
composting the seeds (or letting the plants seed). Weeds that don't have
seeds on should be fine to go into the compost.

THings that you really should NOT put into compost are thorny branches (the
thorns don't break down) and anything showing signs of fungal disease.

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

"Life is like a cigarette -- smoke it to the butt." -- Harvie Krumpet

enough to kill them. Secondly, consider how much work we are talking
about
here. Are the weeds you're gettign difficult to remove? If yes, then
avoid

Nope its just the usually dandylion stuff, and a wierd weed that has a white
flower, has small "branches" that become pods and disintegrate, spraying the
seeds everywhere, when you pluck them from the ground when the pods are
ripe.

"Crimson Castle" wrote in message ...
enough to kill them. Secondly, consider how much work we are talking
about
here. Are the weeds you're gettign difficult to remove? If yes, then
avoid

Nope its just the usually dandylion stuff, and a wierd weed that has a white
flower, has small "branches" that become pods and disintegrate, spraying the
seeds everywhere, when you pluck them from the ground when the pods are
ripe.

The best place for seedy weeds is in a seperate compost that will be
used in deep shade where the darn things won't grow anyway.
Otherwise it's best not to use them or to burn them and return the
ashes to the soil.