Michigan Gardener

SIGN UP for our Free E-Newsletter!
We will send you occasional e-mails with valuable gardening tips and information!

Digital Editions

Click on the cover to read now!
Sponsored by:

  • Home
  • Departments
    • Ask MG
    • Books
    • Clippings
    • Garden Snapshots
    • MG in the News
    • Janet’s Journal
    • Plant Focus
    • Profile
    • Raising Roses
    • Thyme for Herbs
    • Tools
    • Tree Tips
  • Garden Event Calendar
    • Garden Event Calendar
    • Submit a Calendar Listing
  • Resources
    • Alternatives to Impatiens
    • Garden Help
    • Soil and Mulch Calculator
    • Public Gardens
  • Web Extras
  • About
    • Publishing Schedule – 2023
    • Editorial Content
    • Bulk Subscriptions – 2023
    • Where to pick up Michigan Gardener
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Advertising
    • Print / Web / E-Newsletter Advertising
    • Classified Advertising
    • Material Specs & Terms
    • Make a Payment
Home Ask MG Putting flowers in compost pile

Please note that Michigan Gardener has a new schedule in 2023. We will publish one Print Magazine in the spring. This Spring issue will be in stores in early May 2023. We will also publish 10 E-Newsletters from spring through fall. Click to sign up for our free E-Newsletter.

Putting flowers in compost pile

August 21, 2010   •   

I have self-seeding plants in my garden that I pull out before they go to seed and spread around too abundantly. If I pull them when they are in bloom and put them on the compost pile, will they still go to seed even though the roots are exposed and the plant is dying? I don’t want to end up inadvertently spreading the seeds through the beds when I use the finished compost.

First of all, if you pull these plants when they are still in bloom, they haven’t finished the process of making the seeds. If you miss a few and don’t remove them till after the bloom has long faded, then the seeds have formed. If you maintain a hot compost pile, one that reaches a measurable 140 to 160 degrees, the heat will not only kill many pathogenic organisms, but also self-seeding plants. A hot pile works best if it is made up all at one time and then allowed to compost completely without further additions of material. You don’t say what kind of plants these are, but you might consider deadheading to “trick” the plant into blooming again. Then you can enjoy more blossom time and get the jump on the seed-making process before it begins.

Filed Under: Ask MG

Previous Post: Organic matter & decomposition
Next Post: Dehumidifier water & houseplants
Copyright © 1996-2023 Michigan Gardener. All rights reserved.