what weeds can be dug back in?

[Wren]

Is there a easy guide anywhere that will say what weeds can be safely dug back into the soil, and what weeds must be removed for composting?.

Wren

[Hazel at the Hill]

Is there a easy guide anywhere that will say what weeds can be safely dug back into the soil, and what weeds must be removed for composting?.

Wren

All annual weeds can be dug in, I think (chickweed, etc) - but anything which is pernicious (bindweed, couch, marestail, bloody raspberry suckers) want digging out,

[Two_Sheds]

As Hazel says. I'd add: don't dig in any seeds of course; perennial weeds can be dried out (on a hot path or in a greenhouse) before adding to compost heap. Or else drown them a la comfrey tea, then pour on compost heap

[Wren]

Thanks, guys. So how do you know what weeds are annuals, perennials, pernicious etc. When faced with so many seedlings? This is the firstvyear my plot has not been cultivated in 15 years, so I have a mixture of everything to deal with. At the moment im just removing everything as it comes thro and digging out bramble for burning.

[Two_Sheds]

how do you know what weeds are annuals, perennials, pernicious etc.

A basic guide would be if it has thick roots, it's perennial. If the roots are small and delicate, it's an annual

You can look up the bad guys (couch grass, bindweed, horsetail) so you know what to look for. Bramble you'll already know.

[Snadger]

I compost ALL weeds................but they go through a chicken first!

[Wren]

Ahhh...thanks for that two_sheds , i am very well associated with bramble crowns now, as the plot were 9 ft high in them for 15 years , and also the dreaded couch grass . I have nightmares about Couch grass now and i shudder when i look at what this years newbies are digging up and leaving in the soil, i can tell you now that on more than a few occasions i could have wept thinking i would never get through the mass of couch and bramble. I am meticulous about going through each newly dug area an my hands and knees and clearing out every last scrap of root and yet still some bits escape me so i go back in with a daisy weeder thingy after them! The couch grass is now all covered in a pallet composter by a tarp, and fortunately we have no mares tail an only a tiny bit of bindweed.
So i take it the dock type weeds with the long carrot roots are the perennials? Can perennial weeds be composted along with the couch?

In addition, how long do you think my huge pile of couch that is now covered under a tarp will take to compost? I started the pile in October last year and have added to it throughout this summer, its had a good watering and is now tucked up for the winter with the slow worms making a winter home in it so i dont like to turn it over too much.

many thanks,
Wren

[Two_Sheds]

[can] dock type weeds ... be composted along with the couch?

Yes, dandelions and docks will survive drowning though, so dry them out thoroughly in a greenhouse or on a hot path (lol) first

how long do you think my huge pile of couch that is now covered under a tarp will take to compost?

Don't be surprised if a lot of it survives... the soil & watering will keep the roots alive. I did this on my plot (made a heap and covered it with tarp) and it took a year and several turnings and diggings to kill it all. Tarp seems to let a lot of light through, compared to carpet or cardboard.

A better method was to cover it in situ with carpet or old fence panels: that couch was killed off after 6 months.

You'll get there, just keep at it. Block all light from the stuff

[Jeanied]

I bagged my couch roots up in a compost bag - they have black linings and are quite thick. It took about a year to rot down - and even then I had to pull out the odd live root. But it did mean I started to get the stuff under control!