Should You Compost Diseased or Bug-infested Plants?
I just got this question today from a former student of mine. She was removing the summer plants and noticed an Aphid infestation.
She had asked two other people, one being a plant nursery, and got 2 different answers. That's how it is with gardening. Everyone has an answer usually based on their experience.
Here's how I answered - I have a personal rule of never composting any diseased or bug infested plant - why take the risk? I compost a little more casually than the scientific or bio-dynamic version and I can never be sure if it gets hot enough to kill off the bug EGGS, the disease or bacteria.
What do you all do with bug-infested plants? I would love to hear from you!
Happy Digging,
Doreen, the Garden Goddess
www.down2earthgardens.com
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2 comments:
Hi Doreen. Burying it could be an option as it accomplishes the goals,get rid of pests,amend soil,and feed the worms. I suppose it depends on what it is.
this was an aphid infestation. Quite extensive I gathere.
I figured why risk it if what we are talking about are a few plants that would not make a substantial impact on compost material.
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