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| How to be sure weed seeds don't survive composting https://www.dirtdoctor.com/efl/dirtDoctor/how-to-be-sure-weed-seeds-don-t-survive-composting-t3885.html |
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| Author: | opus [ Sat May 29, 2004 2:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | How to be sure weed seeds don't survive composting |
Hi everyone, I'm new to the list. I want to start a compost heap on a property that has plenty of weeds. Most of the greens I put in the compost at first will be these weeds. I'd rather compost them instead of throwing them away. But I want be certain that the weed seeds don't survive the composting. To kill the seeds, would it be a good idea to put the weeds in a transparent, air-tight plastic container and let it sit out in the sun for a couple of weeks before I put the weeds into the compost pile? Has anyone ever done this? I just want to bake the heck out of them and kill anything that could later sprout up. I would appreciate any advice. |
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| Author: | BlackForestComposter [ Mon May 31, 2004 5:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
hmm,interesting question. My guess would be that sunlight would not be hot enough to kill dry seeds. However you could try sprouting them all in your plastic container with a little water and THEN baking the little seedlings in the sun. That for sure would kill them but make sure you wear a gas mask when you open it again;) |
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| Author: | CaptainCompostAL [ Tue Jun 01, 2004 9:00 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
If you can get your compost pile hot, up to at least 140 degrees F, for at least 3 days, and keep the pile constantly aerated and moisturized, there will be absolutely no danger of ever sprouting any potential weed seeds in your garden beds or lawn. I compost fresh weedy horse manure all the time. I have composted kudzu, bull thistle, and lots of other weeds from the highway in my hot piles, with no weed sprouting problems in my garden. Using lots of liquid molasses or dry molasses will definitely speed up the heating and microbial growth in the pile. Using lots of high nitrogen (like urea) compost teas or nitrogen loaded "rain water", instead of plain chlorinated faucet water, will definitely heat things up too. |
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