Compost Crisis

[Georgie]

Today I wanted to havest my compost.  Opened the front flap and - arrgghhh - bindwind sprouting in it.  It's coming from next door's garden and I really don't know what to do about it.  They are not gardeners and I fear if I ask them to get rid of it (they are not gardners) they will probably use loads of chemicals (I'm organic). 

For now I've carefully sieved the compost and hand-picked every tiny bit of root out of it so hopefully it will be usable.  Now I'm in the process of emptying the bin of the stuff that is still to rot down fully with a view to lifting the bin and digging out as much of the bindweed as I can.  But is there anything I can do to stop it happening again?  I can't relocate the bin and putting down a weed supressant would defeat the object of siting the bin on soil wouldn't it?

Any suggestions gratefully received.  I don't want to use chemicals.

G x

[Georgie]

[saddad]

You can use a physical barrier once you've dug it all out on your side... it spreads laterally from choice... about 18" deep usually works..
:-\

[Georgie]

Thanks Saddad, sounds like hard work in this heat mind.   :(

G x

[Georgie]

Okay here's the story so far in pictures. 

Compost looking really good.



Some of the harvest



Then the bad news.  The bindweed roots coming through the fence.



Close up of the ugly taken out at ground level.



Soil cleared at ground level



Stuff waiting to go back in.



Too exhausted to follow saddad's advice today after all that.  A job for next weekend maybe.  G x

[Palustris]

The only reason to stand compost bins on soil, is to allow the ingress of worms and bacteria and fungus to aid in decomposition. If you want to stand the bin on weed suppressant membrane then all you need to do is add a couple of spadesful of the old compost  when you start the bin again, making sure there are a few worms in it.
Do not leave dealing with the bindweed for too long, the roots can grow at an incredible speed at this time of year.

[Georgie]

Thanks Eric.  That sounds far, far easier.   ;D

G x