Topic: Composting - Help!!!

[cherry]

Please can anyone help.   I've 2 compost bins (made with pallets) both are riddled with thistle roots.   Is there any way I can rescue the compost and what should I do to prevent this happening again?

[Robert_Brenchley]

Cover it with black plastic and leave it till next year. Keep it covered with something in future.

[saddad]

Thistle roots are fairly obvious, dig them out and consider it as an extra turning so the compost will be ready quicker!
 ;D

[telboy]

From what I can gather , the thistle roots are growing out of the compost.
use Roundup on the top growth & leave it & treat it again & again if it shows.
It may be coming in from outside the bins so treat that as well!

[cherry]

I have tried to remove some of the roots in one bin.   The thicker ones are ok but there are so many fine roots that break easily.  I've been told that each little piece is a potential new thistle!!   The other thing I did was to spread a thin layer of this compost onto dry soil hoping that the forecast is right for the next few days and they will dry out.

[Merry Tiller]

Drying out for a few days won't kill it

[cherry]

Thanks all for your help.    Will try black plastic on one Roundup on the other and see which works best.