Knowledgebase
use of compost #869611
Asked May 22, 2024, 12:42 PM EDT
Grand Isle County Vermont
Expert Response
Thank you for contacting the UVM Master Gardener Helpline with your question about weed seeds in compost.
I have a couple of suggestions on how to kill weed seeds in your compost.
If you are able to get the heat in your compost system to 140 degrees for 3 or more days, any weed seeds will be terminated. Texas A&M Extension published an article you will find helpful entitled “Composting to Kill Weeds”: https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2010/10/E-326.-Easy-Gardening-Composting-to-Kill-Weed-Seeds.pdf
Another option is to solarize your raised bed which will also terminate the weed seeds. Oregon State University Extension published “Soil Solarization an Alternative to Soil Fumigants”: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/agriculture/soil-solarization-an-alternative-to-soil-fumigants-0-505/.
I also offer this “General Information for the Potential Camelid Owner” from Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. “Llamas and alpacas are pseudo ruminants and have three stomachs (cows, sheep and goats — all true ruminants have four).”: https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/print-publications/vtmd/general-information-for-the-potential-camelid-owner-vtmd-9122.pdf. I would need to seek additional advice to see how this impacts weed seed survival.
A few more articles you might find helpful:
. “How to Use Compost in Gardens and Landscapes” published by Oregon State University Extension https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9308-how-use-compost-gardens-landscapes
. “Safely Using Manure in the Garden” published by the University of Wisconsin Extension: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/safely-using-manure-garden/
I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out.