Sterilising compost?
 

I've been using some 2/3 year old compost, but it seems to be full
of weed seeds, I've tried putting some in the microwave but I'm not
sure it's been detrimental to the compost.

So what is the best/simplest way of getting rid of unwanted weed
seeds in compost?

How do commercial suppliers do it?

--
alan

reply to alan(dot)holmes27(at)virgin(dot)net

"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
...

I've been using some 2/3 year old compost, but it seems to be full
of weed seeds, I've tried putting some in the microwave but I'm not
sure it's been detrimental to the compost.

So what is the best/simplest way of getting rid of unwanted weed
seeds in compost?

How do commercial suppliers do it?

--
alan

reply to alan(dot)holmes27(at)virgin(dot)net


When I worked at a nursery many years ago the ground was steam treated prior
to planting.

--
Tumbleweed

email replies not necessary but to contact use;
tumbleweednews at hotmail dot com

"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
...

I've been using some 2/3 year old compost, but it seems to be full
of weed seeds, I've tried putting some in the microwave but I'm not
sure it's been detrimental to the compost.

So what is the best/simplest way of getting rid of unwanted weed
seeds in compost?

How do commercial suppliers do it?

Best to ignore them, use your compost in the normal way and deal with
any weeds as they emerge.

Dealing with weeds is a never ending process because they arrive from so
many different sources as shown in this interesting site.

http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/education/control.html

Regards,
Emrys Davies.

On Sat, 21 May 2005 14:31:30 GMT, "Alan Holmes"
wrote:


I've been using some 2/3 year old compost, but it seems to be full
of weed seeds, I've tried putting some in the microwave but I'm not
sure it's been detrimental to the compost.

So what is the best/simplest way of getting rid of unwanted weed
seeds in compost?

How do commercial suppliers do it?

What quantity do you want to treat.

You could try a steam wallpaper stripper that would probably treat a
tray every 5 minutes. No much use if yo need to deal with a lot of
trays, but OK for the home gardener.

"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
...

I've been using some 2/3 year old compost, but it seems to be full
of weed seeds, I've tried putting some in the microwave but I'm not
sure it's been detrimental to the compost.

So what is the best/simplest way of getting rid of unwanted weed
seeds in compost?

Seriously, has anyone tried using a dish washer?

In article , suspicious minds
writes

"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
...

I've been using some 2/3 year old compost, but it seems to be full
of weed seeds, I've tried putting some in the microwave but I'm not
sure it's been detrimental to the compost.

So what is the best/simplest way of getting rid of unwanted weed
seeds in compost?

Seriously, has anyone tried using a dish washer?

You would have to make sure the soil was in a well sealed container.
Washing pots in the dishwasher blocks the water jets.


--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

Kay wrote:
[...]
Seriously, has anyone tried using a dish washer?

You would have to make sure the soil was in a well sealed
container.
Washing pots in the dishwasher blocks the water jets.

And I doubt if the temperature in the middle of the material would
get high enough.

One of the media chefs, however, did say that if you haven't got a
fish kettle, then wrapping a whole salmon in foil and putting it in
the dishwasher would cook it very nicely! I didn't take in the
details, I'm afraid.

--
Mike.

"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
...

I've been using some 2/3 year old compost, but it seems to be full
of weed seeds, I've tried putting some in the microwave but I'm not
sure it's been detrimental to the compost.

So what is the best/simplest way of getting rid of unwanted weed
seeds in compost?

How do commercial suppliers do it?

--
alan

reply to alan(dot)holmes27(at)virgin(dot)net

Here is what an allotment holder did years ago.....built a fire and over it
put an ash can with about 6 inches of water in it....suepended a bag of
compost above the water and put on the lid...allowed the steam to do its
job........H

On 5/24/05 9:04 AM, in article , "Harold
Walker" wrote:


"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
...

I've been using some 2/3 year old compost, but it seems to be full
of weed seeds, I've tried putting some in the microwave but I'm not
sure it's been detrimental to the compost.

So what is the best/simplest way of getting rid of unwanted weed
seeds in compost?

How do commercial suppliers do it?

--
alan

reply to alan(dot)holmes27(at)virgin(dot)net

Here is what an allotment holder did years ago.....built a fire and over it
put an ash can with about 6 inches of water in it....suepended a bag of
compost above the water and put on the lid...allowed the steam to do its
job........H
Now I like this one! I tried the oven and stunk up the house....I was not
impressed...whatever one does I think it should be outdoors...
Gary