Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi All,
My garden is being overrun with cleavers (goosegrass/sticky willy). Having supplied piles of it to the neighbours for their horses, who love the stuff, we still have enough left to supply the cavalry. Is it OK to put it on the compost heap if it has not started to seed? Although, having said that, we would probably have to build more bins to accommodate it all.

Diane.

I wouldn't I hate the stuff!

I always compost cleavers but, as you say, BEFORE THEY SHOW ANY SIGNS OF SEEDS! They seem to break down perfectly normally.

Most stuff composts fine if you don't let it seed, my beds are mulched to conserve water, and the few weeds that make it through the mulch get dried on the paths and added to the mulch when dry and dead, gradually the worms work it into the soil, I am always amazed how quickly they incorporate the mulch into the soil. We have cats and they tend to bring cleavers home on their fur!

Hi DiG,
Cleavers are only just showing signs of flower here and if composted now, even if the odd flower makes into to the compost it will not cause you any problems. I put a load into the compost yesterday morning with a good layer of none flowering Stinging Nettles then a layer of Comfrey and then a covering of lawn clippings and at about 6pm last night I put my hand into the compost heap and it was already exceedingly hot, not warm HOT! Nettles will increase the temperature in a compost heap and can be used to reheat a heap that has somehow stalled and gone cold.
JB.

I'll add my voice to the "compost 'em now" chorus.

Just out of interest, the Welsh name for them is Llau'r offeiriad - Priest's Lice!

I have just finished up the mornings work by taking leaves off Docks growing up the field margin and then lopping the plant down and the same with Hemlock and Butter Bur which is impinging on the margins of the Barley. Taking the leaves and lopping the flowering head off any weed I could find. A load more Cleavers and Nettles. The nettles in the field margin have been strimmed and the regrowth nowhere near flowering so absolutely wonderful for composting I have also taken some Bur Dock
which has wonderful leaves for composting before they head up to flower.
I need to head up some steam as I am going to cut my Lonicera Nitida hedge this afternoon and compost that as well. Only the clippings and any hard wood will be removed and go for burning. This is an internal hedge as at this time of the year I am not allowed to touch the main hedging around the plot for another month or so.
Next week I will be cutting Comfrey and with 800 plants there will be a fair amount to do. This is laid in layers of pulverized Barley Straw and is my main compost. The First cut goes on top of the previous cut which has sunk down and I will do this twice more this year. I take four cuts a year but some people stretch it to five or six cuts but I like my Comfrey to die back for the winter just going up to flower when the frost hits it.
Now is the time to take a goodly amount of safe compost without fear of seed contamination to be taken. Make Compost Whilst the Sun is still Shining.
JB.

Many thanks to everyone for your replies.

I have spent the day following JB's recipe for compost as we do have a copious supply of comfrey, nettles and grass cuttings to add to the mix. We also had a number of shrub casualties in the recent high winds, so those shreddings have gone in too. Hopefully they will start to heat up nicely now.
I'm hoping that I won't have too much more for a while, as all seven of my compost bins are now full. We don't really want to have to build any more.

Diane

Dear Diane, you will probably find after a couple of weeks, the amount will have reduced considerably.

I'm with Johnboy on this, compost everything, but don't let it get chance to seed first.

Also, if you've filled up all your compost heaps, bag up the contents of the first one to be filled and it will continue rotting down in the plastic sacks until you are ready to use it and it will free your compost heap for new stuff.

Hi Plumpudding,
I use Black dustbin liners for leaves and fill the bags so that they can be tied up and then put a fork through the bottom a couple of times and then simply stack them under the hedge. I leave then for a couple of seasons and when finally opened you have a rather damp leaf mould absolutely full of worms. Take as many worms as possible and add to your compost heap. The leaf mould can be either added to compost, which is rather a waste, or laid out on the tunnel benches (in my case) or laid out on a sheet of polythene with another over the top. It quite quickly evaporates and dries and becomes beautifully friable when it can then be stored for making your own seeding compound. It is then best put through a small gauge sieve. If you then put this into a bag, and seal it in, it retains what moisture is remaining and is ready for use when you want it without having to reinvigorate it.
JB.

Hi John boy
excuse my ignorance but what are cleavers. Also I gather from your postings that you are not a young man and also very knowlegable on all horticultural matters. How do you maintain your energy level for so long for all the hard work that you seem to do on your allotment. I am very keen to know because I think I am a similar age myself.
Regards Brenjon

Hi Brenjon

I'm sure you'll recognise cleavers when you see them.





http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/organic ... .php?id=29

I leave it to Johnboy to answer your other queries

Hi John boy
I do not know how to send a PM 0r I would have done. Thank you for spending the time to send me the info. on yourself and details of your busy schedule . you are no doubt a very interesting person with a wealth of information and a very generous sharing nature.
Keep well
Regards Brenjon

Hi Brenjon,
Below the PM that I sent to you there is a reply button. All you have to do is click on that button and then write your message above the one that I have sent to you. Then when you have finished your message simply click the Submit button below. Done and dusted!
To compose a message is a bit different. Go to the left hand side and find Compose message click on that and a box will appear top LHS write the name of the person you are trying to contact in the box then just below that box to the right click on Add and the name will transfer to the head of where you write your message. You must give it a title.
Then Write your message and then click on Submit. Hey Presto it's done.
Should you wish to practice on my letter to you do go ahead.
There are lots of us of a certain age who prefer not to broadcast our trials and tribulations and the PM service is a very good for maintaining our privacy.
Sincerely,
JB.