Can I compost weeds if I put Weed 'n Feed or something like it in my compost pile?

Question

Let's say I'm too lazy to make two seperate piles of weeds (acceptable to compost, and unacceptable to compost). What if I just want to cut down on work and dump them all in the compost pile. Is there anything I can do to make sure they won't germinate later?
Could I put something like weed 'n feed in my compost pile, or would that be stupid?
Thanks.

Answer 1

Do not, not, not put the weed-n-feed into the compost. The herbicide won't break down enough to be safe. If it is still active, it'll kill the plants you are using the compost on. Toxic compost...

Just go ahead and put the weeds in with the rest. Yes, the heat may kill some of the seed or the roots, but be prepared to do your fair share of weeding for your indiscretion, so to speak. The roots of the weeds should likewise die out.

You can add extra fertilizer to the pile, if you have any, but no weed killers.

I hope that this helps

Answer 2

Weed and Feed is a bad idea for any compost bin.

Hot composting will kill weed seeds in your compost but will require some maintenance:
1 - Have a ratio of about 25-1 of browns-greens
2 - You'll have to keep the pile wet but not too wet
3- Aerate the pile by turning it with a pitch fork or a shovel

If conditions are good, the center of the pile should climb over 160 degrees. Seeds that never make it to the center of the pile may still remain viable though. If sprouts appear in your compost pile then pluck them or just turn the pile again.

Answer 3

A proper compost pile will get hot enough to kill the seeds. Like 180F. Keep it that hot for a few days, at least. Turn and stir. Make sure everything gets that hot at some point, and stays that hot long enough.

Yes, it is stupid to put pesticides or herbicides in a compost pile.
Adding a little nitrogen will help feed the bacteria that decompose things. Like ammonia diluted, or high nitrogen fert, or Pee. (Always pee on you compost is what I was taught.)

When your compost is cooked you should screen it out. Use the fines, and put the rest back on the pile. A sceen can be made easily with 1/2" hardware cloth and 2X4s.

Pulling weeds is just part of gardening. So just pull and use for mulch or compost the new weeds. Always do your best to kill weeds (do it manually not with spray) before they start to set seed. The weeds will soon be mostly gone.

Answer 4

All I know is that you should look into "hot" composting. I understand that if the compost heap is hot enough, it will kill the seeds.. Otherwise, you'll get seeds everywhere.. Putting weed killer in the mix is a bad idea too, since the idea of composting is to have organic 'food' for your other plants..

Answer 5

I wouldn't worry about it. DON'T put weed killer in though. You don't know what your going to put it on yet. I have perrenials that reseed and if I put a composte with weed killer it would kill those seeds. Keep turning your pile often. It may germinate later and it may not. If you use it in a garden, just pull the weeds as they come out.

Answer 6

You can compost annual weeds, but not perennial ones. The heat generated in the heap will usually kill weed seeds. Not woody ones or ones with a tap root. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

If you are doing all the right things to decompose your vegetation, your vegetation should get very hot as is decomposes. The temperature it reaches is hot enough to prevent the weeds from germinating and brake down there seeds.

I learnt that from watching Better Homes and Garden on TV.

Answer 8

I wouldn't put weed n feed on weeds that have already been uprooted.

You could rototill them under. The ones that have formed seed pods should be put in the trash.

I sincerely hope this helps.

PAMELA JUDGE

Answer 9

Just dump them both in and forget the weed feed

stir it every couple of days