The chore of weeding is not always very appreciated by the gardeners who engage in it. However, we have no choice! You need what it takes to find impeccable terrace slabs or preserve the surrounding plants that these plants are suffocating by depriving them of nutrients. Weeds also tend to be very invasive in the various plantings of the garden or vegetable patch. Also, it is important to weed regularly to get rid of them. Once this task is accomplished, however, we do not always know what to do with the removed weeds. Should they be burned? Where can we throw them? The temptation can then be great to slip your weeds into the compost among other green waste and brown waste. But is this really a good idea? Find out the answer, and what you can do with it.
Can we compost weeds?
Gardener friend, know that the answer is generally no, for several reasons. Already, your compost is full of good nutrients. Also, they are likely to germinate and prosper there. And unfortunately, there is a good chance that you end up sowing them when spreading your natural fertilizer in the garden. It won’t take much for bindweed to quickly invade your entire plot and replace your pretty flower beds! Let us remember that a weed is often a fast-growing plant. Also, the slightest seed lying around can quickly develop, prosper and invade everything. It is therefore better to avoid adding these plants to the compost if you do not want to ruin it!
The only exception to this rule: carefully choose the weeds added to the compost!
If you add weeds that are not not gone to seed (i.e. without flowers) and without roots, you limit the risks of germination. Also remember (and this applies to all green waste) to never put diseased weeds which could contaminate the compost, then the entire garden. Finely selected, they will provide good nutrients, especially minerals, to your composting bin.
So, where should you throw the pulled weeds?
By law, it is prohibited to burn green waste, the latter being considered household waste. This causes pollution, unpleasant odors and a risk of fire. However, you can go and garbage disposal to get rid of it. However, check beforehand the conditions and regulations of the structure closest to you. Normally, you will be able to throw them away as is.
If we can’t put them in the compost, we can still take advantage of the weeds!
It would be a shame not to use them! Indeed, we tend to judge them quite harshly when they “annoy” us. The fact remains that these are plants which can prove very useful and which have many benefits.
It is thus possible to recycle pulled weeds into manure, green manure or even sometimes into mulch to protect your plants. Some of them also have medicinal propertiesstarting with the nettle. Finally, if you have not yet read our article on edible weedsknow that their uses in cooking are very numerous. Dandelions, nettles, mugwort… All of them are delicious! Consider using your dandelions to make dandelion honey (or cramaillote).