Re: Compost

On 29 May 2007 21:15:43 -0700, MajorOz <MajorOz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
In that vein, I intend to venture into composting.
The cleared portion of my land, around the buildings, that I mow
comprises about four or so acres of generic local weeds, fescue that
has blown in from the neighbors up the road, and whatever forbs and
juvie trees take root come spring. I have no "lawn".
Can I gather these clippings and, after the proper treatment and
ageing, use them in the garden, with the roses and other flowers, or
as cover / mulch here and there? Will doing so simply re-distribute
weed seed?

Hot composting will take care of weed seeds -- but it can be difficult to
maintain a pile at requisite temperatures. Better to cut before
seeds actually form. 140oF for several days is considered "enough to
kill weed seeds". You might also solarize compost after you make it,
if the weed seed issue is a big one.

I manage my 63 acres for wildlife, and plant trees and brush from the
state -- too damn many trees to keep up with :) Would the well aged
compost from these clippings be OK to put in the "holes" that the
trees get planted in?

Recent work says that trees should be planted in unimproved "native"
soil for better root growth. Improve the soil too much and the roots
tend to stay in the dug hole.

I don't know when you're cutting, but be aware that cutting at the same
time each year can favor certain plant species over other ones, and by
doing so, you can really disrupt native insects and so forth that
you can actually negatively effect the animals you're managing for.

Kay

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: I knew better, but...
    ... Fall is absolutely the best time for seeding for grass because native ... weed seeds wont germinate in fall, ... use weed killers on an established lawn, but not on ground you want to ... I suggest using a hoe to CUT the weeds off to the ground. ...
    (rec.gardens)
  • Re: preventing weeds using a greenhouse?
    ... Using a precise weeding hand tool like the Ergonica Weed Twister will ... remove weedy eruptions without disturbing any more soil than necessary. ... germination of weed seeds that are exposed. ... more heat tolerant selection of weeds compared to just the garden soil. ...
    (rec.gardens)
  • Re: Fun out of gardening
    ... it, and weeds just love the soil, and grow exceedingly fast and vigorous. ... piece of cardboard, weigh it down with wood chips, and then plant ... vegetables through holes in the cardboard, ... If you have weed seeds only, ...
    (rec.gardens.edible)
  • Re: Weed Prevention
    ... soil is loaded with millions of weed seeds but only the top inch or ... at least in the sense that tilling helps some weeds. ... where you are tilling after something has come up), what your soil ...
    (rec.gardens)
  • Re: Compost
    ... I manage my 63 acres for wildlife, and plant trees and brush from the ... If you manage the compost so that it gets hot the weed seeds will be ... I monitor my compost pile with a thermometer and turn ...
    (rec.gardens)