In Brief: Can You Compost Weeds?
Yes, Weeds are incredibly beneficial to a pile because composting them not only allows you to generate more compost but better balanced and nutrient-dense compost as well. The idea is that all green living plants are nutrient-dense. Weeds can be beneficial as they survive or degrade in a compost pile because of this. And in the same way that “weed-free” plant materials are.
This detailed guide will take you through simple steps and precautions to manage composting weeds.
I have used my own composting experience & curated insights from books and the best compost experts across the globe to put this guide in place.
Let’s dive right in!
Contents
Can You Compost Weeds?
Some gardeners are concerned about composting weeds because they believe that spreading compost will spread the weed throughout their garden.
Composting weeds generally makes composters think twice. This is because they may have discovered through experience that weeds compost can spread and fill up their garden anytime it is placed or applied to the garden soil.
Couch grass, nettles, buttercups, and ground elder are some of the most troublesome weeds because of their extensive root systems.
Weeds such as perennials and those that start producing seeds can sometimes sprout in the compost or when the compost is spread to the garden, which is why some compost enthusiasts avoid them in their compost.
This can only happen if the compost bin or pile isn’t put up properly. This is because a properly maintained compost bin or pile may destroy perennial weeds and weed seeds, as well as other sick organisms, by generating enough heat.
If you follow the essential composting maintenance and preparation, you won’t have any problems putting weeds in your compost pile or bin.
Types of Weeds
Before I detail how to compost weeds, it’s necessary to understand the many sorts of weeds to identify the type of weeds you have or are dealing with. Annuals, Biennials, and Perennials are the three types of weeds.
Perennial Weeds – Perennial weeds are weeds that live for an extended amount of time before dying. Dandelion, creeping buttercup, couch grass, ground elder, bramble, dock leaves, and creeping thistle are examples of persistent weeds.
Biennial weeds – Biennial weeds are weeds that live for two years before dying.
Queen Anne’s lace, evening primrose, burdock, and common mullein are examples of biennial weeds.
Annual weeds – Annual weeds are those that live for one year and then die. Bindweeds, chickweed, crabgrass, knotweed, mallow weed, pigweed, and groundsel are all examples of annual weeds.
How to Compost Weeds with Ease?
Once you get through the first step, composting weeds is much like composting any other plant matter.
Gather the weeds – Most annual weeds can be safely added to your compost pile before they fully develop and set seed. You must eliminate the potential of weeds with seeds to reproduce.
To avoid weed regrowth, hot and cold composting processes require distinct strategies.
Hot Composting – When it comes to perennial weeds with a wide root system, hot composting is the best option. Weeds and other compostable items are added to a compost pile or bin that has been heated to a high temperature.
Weeds can compost in as short as 6 to 8 months if your compost pile receives enough heat and is steaming to the touch.
A perfect combination of browns and greens, constant working, and (preferably) a sunny site are all required to get your compost piles hot enough.
Your compost’s heat should harm and destroy roots and seeds, preventing weeds from propagating in the compost.
However, for the majority of us, it isn’t that simple.
Unfortunately, most household compost bins do not heat up where all seeds and roots are destroyed. Weeds may take up to two years to die in smaller, slower-acting compost piles.
Cold Composting – Here are several excellent ways to destroy seeds before putting them in your cold composting system.
These suggestions are beneficial for folks who frequently forget about their hot compost and want to avoid weed regrowth.
Fermenting Weeds: Weeds can be fermented in water by submerging them in a large bucket and allowing them to decay for a few weeks. Dump the water and weeds onto the compost pile when you’re finished.
Drying the weeds: Spread weeds out in the sun for a week to dry them up. This won’t kill the seeds, but it will kill the roots that could sprout in your compost.
Bake in the sun: Put the weeds in a black plastic waste bag, tie it up, and roast it in the sun for ten days, which should kill the seeds and roots.
Including the weed in the Compost Pile – Make sure you follow the essential composting criteria for balancing green and brown materials.
Just remember that freshly removed weeds are “green” material, whereas weeds that have been dried until crispy are now “brown.”
Maintaining Internal Temperature – Make sure the compost is kept warm. Turn the pile frequently to promote aeration and new heat generation.
Mix your compost frequently for several weeks to guarantee that all viable seeds are killed. Thorough mixing will ensure that all of the ingredients have an opportunity to cook in the center, where the temperature is the highest.
When it comes to composting weed seeds, you should prefer to take extra precautions by soaking them in a bucket before placing them in my heated compost bin.
How Long it takes for Weeds to Decompose?
Weeds disintegrate at the same rate as other plant materials in your composter. Weeds should be wholly decomposed in six to eight months on average.
The faster weeds degrade, the better you maintain your compost with the proper ratio of brown and green materials, adequate moisture and heat, and regular turning.
Advantages of Composting Weeds
Here is why you should compost weeds –
Help Soil – Some weeds, like clovers, feed essential pollinators like bees. Pollinators help the soil by making it more porous to receive nutrients and water.
Rich Source of Nitrogen – Weeds are also responsible for fixing nitrogen levels in the soil so that other neighboring herbs can grow well. It’s so good at supplying nutrients that it’s used as a fall or spring cover crop in many gardens!
Limitations of Composting Weeds
Even though weeds are an excellent addition to a compost pile, they come with a few drawbacks.
However, following a few basic measures may quickly eliminate the hazards.
Avoid weed seeds – Always make sure that any plant components going into a pile (i.e., flowers, veggies, etc.) do not include weed seed heads.
If you mistakingly add any weed seed, seeds can be readily transferred and sprouted wherever your fresh compost is used because most backyard compost piles don’t become hot enough to harm any plant’s seeds.
Avoid plants that can reproduce from their roots – Canadian thistle is one of the kinds of weed that can regrow itself from its roots. The removal of Canadian thistle from flowerbeds and gardens can be a nightmare.
Its long, tenacious roots can generate hundreds of runners and buds, seemingly endlessly replenishing the plant population.
FAQ’s
Yes, weeds destroyed by roundup can be composted. The most crucial factor to remember is that the weeds must be free of synthetic or poisonous substances, as well as infections.
In the End
We hope this comprehensive guide helped you know everything about composting weeds of different kinds and confidently recycle all your weedy waste with great ease.
If you have any queries regarding composting bones, please write them down in the comments. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any other tips to add to our guide to make it even more informative!
Do share this with your friends and family to help them out too!
