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Garden Gate:  Composting Question  |
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Calico Countess
Farmgirl in Training
16 Posts
Christie
Bow Island
Alberta
Canada
16 Posts |
 Posted - May 17 2010 : 12:13:36 PM
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I'm not sure if this is the correct category for this topic, but since I put my compost on my garden, I thought it's probably close enough.
This may seem like a silly question, but I was wondering if it was ok to put your rhubarb leaves into your compost pile since they are quite toxic. Does the "processing" of the leaves into compost neutralize the toxic acids? I made a strawberry rhubarb pie and the rhubarb coffee cake recipe from one of my Mary Jane's Farm magazines and was not sure if I should toss the leaves into my composter. Please advise, thank you!
"Too much of a good thing can be wonderful" ~ Mae West |
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Melbick
True Blue Farmgirl
81 Posts
Melanie
Venus
TX
USA
81 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2010 : 12:54:58 PM
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Christie,
I was told that a rule of thumb for my compost bin was that if at one time it had been a plant than it was ok to put it in, just avoid putting in left over food that has been cooking with any added oil or meats.
Melanie Bickham
FarmGirl Sister #1475
http://www.etsy.com/shop/homegrowngirls
Homegrown Girls
http://thebickhamfamily.blogspot.com/ |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2010 : 1:38:45 PM
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All vegetation is okay. I have found that poison ivy, oak, sumac, does not do as well as they say. I have gotten the rashes several times from trying it, even though it's supposed to kill the oils by composting. Everything else works wonderfully for me though!
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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quiltin mama
True Blue Farmgirl
436 Posts
Heather
Crescent City
CA
USA
436 Posts |
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Gloria Bonde
True Blue Farmgirl
103 Posts
Gloria
Hot Springs
SD
USA
103 Posts |
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Bart
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
115 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2010 : 04:38:45 AM
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I do compost my rhubarb leaves and I haven't seen any negative change in the compost (haven't had rhubarb for a couple of years - but plan to plant some this year).
I use rhubarb leaves to make beautiful, very organic looking stepping stones. I use left over pieces of chicken wire, cement, a rhubarb leaf and a black plastic bag. It's very quick and easy and the stepping stones always get huge compliments. |
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Garden Gate: Composting Question |
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Composting Question
