Probably every garden owner knows it: wild plants always germinate and grow faster than those plants that are specifically cultivated. Weeding must be carried out regularly so that the weeds do not compete with the cultivated plants. But what to do with the weeds? If you follow a few rules, you can compost it without worry.
How do I compost weeds correctly?
To successfully compost weeds, first let them dry in the sun for a few days to kill roots and seeds. Place seed-bearing weeds in the center of the compost where the heat is highest. Turn the compost after about three weeks to kill any remaining seeds and roots.
In this article you will learn:
- How to prepare the weeds,
- Where weeds rot reliably,
- Why you should turn the compost after three weeks.
The right preparation
Before adding weeds to the compost, let them dry in the sun for a few days. This causes the roots to die and no new shoots to form. A large proportion of the seeds also dry out and can no longer germinate.
Are seed-bearing weeds allowed in the compost?
If the compost is constructed correctly, germinable seeds will rot reliably. It is preferable to place seed-bearing weeds in the middle of the compost heap. This is where the greatest heat of 55 degrees and more is generated, which certainly destroys the germination power.
What to do if the weed seeds still sprout?
Due to the small volume, however, many garden composts do not heat up as much and cool down quickly. As the green material decomposes, the pH value drops and the seeds find optimal germination conditions.
However, the small plants are still very sensitive. If you turn over the compost now, they will be destroyed forever. In addition, during rotting, the interaction of bacteria and fungi produces antibiotic active ingredients that inhibit the sprouting of the seeds.
If you have to compost a lot of weeds, we recommend turning the compost after about three weeks. This also kills those weed seeds and roots that were previously in the cooler edge areas.
Tip
Always add some home-made compost to a new compost heap. This brings good bacteria into the new compost and acts like the starter for sourdough.
