False Broom grass. Can I compost it? - Ask Extension
I live in Oak Creek area. Our "natural" front yard is full of False Broom-- starting to seed. Spraying Round up is not an option so I am going to...
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False Broom grass. Can I compost it? #874201
Asked June 22, 2024, 3:11 PM EDT
I live in Oak Creek area. Our "natural" front yard is full of False Broom-- starting to seed. Spraying Round up is not an option so I am going to try to dig it out, at least is some places. Can it be put in our Republic Disposal compost bin? Will the county composting site kill the seeds? Or should it go into garbage. (that is what I do with the small poison oak plants I dig out.)
My husband is about to mow. I'm thinking that is not the best option unless he can bag it and put it in compost...... help?
thank you for your assistance,
Deb Otley
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Debra,
Thank you for contacting "ask extension" with your question on adding weeds to yard waste bins. In general, it's considered safe to put weeds and weed seeds in the yard waste bin. Commercial composters maintain a high enough temperature to destroy the weeds and make the seed non viable.
In researching your question, I could not find any reference that specifically mentions False Brome in commercial compost. However, I did see a report that said fields where fire was used as a control method did not seem to be effective. To err on the side of caution, you may want to avoid throwing the plants with seeds in the yard waste bin.
I've included a link to more information about how to ID and control False Brome.
https://solvepestproblems.oregonstate.edu/index.php/weeds/false-brome
If you decide to use mowing as your control method, be sure to mow multiple times throughout the season and don't let the plant go to seed. It will take several years but eventually they will die out.
Hope this helps!
Deb K
Thank you for contacting "ask extension" with your question on adding weeds to yard waste bins. In general, it's considered safe to put weeds and weed seeds in the yard waste bin. Commercial composters maintain a high enough temperature to destroy the weeds and make the seed non viable.
In researching your question, I could not find any reference that specifically mentions False Brome in commercial compost. However, I did see a report that said fields where fire was used as a control method did not seem to be effective. To err on the side of caution, you may want to avoid throwing the plants with seeds in the yard waste bin.
I've included a link to more information about how to ID and control False Brome.
https://solvepestproblems.oregonstate.edu/index.php/weeds/false-brome
If you decide to use mowing as your control method, be sure to mow multiple times throughout the season and don't let the plant go to seed. It will take several years but eventually they will die out.
Hope this helps!
Deb K