Homeowner Forum / Lawn and Garden / July 2008

you probably don't want to risk that (& it can happen with live things put
into compost). if it's left on the surface during hot weather (esp windy),
the plant will die quickly & can be put in after a few days. this time of
year that doesn't really happen - things live on on the surface like the
undead..!! so you could drown it in water for a few weeks & then put it in.
(then you could use the water as a fertiliser afterwards). not sure how long
it would take kikuyu to drown - by the time it's going slushy & decomposing
in the bucket, it's dead (as a general rule ;-).
kylie

On Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:50:48 +1000,when reading "aus.gardens", I'm
certain I caught a glimpse of ""YMC" <nospamhere_yauchiam@gmail.com>"
saying:

In my neighbourhood I've always had to contend with "kikuyu" as there
was no other option, my lawns and those of my neighbours are all
"kikuyu". I have always composted kikuyu lawn clippings and providing
your compost bin is heating up it will kill off any kikuyu roots.

An alternative I have had great success with is two compost bins
virtually turned into worm farms because I introduced worms that I
purchased from "Bunnings" and they certainly won't allow kikuyu to
survive.

I moved my compost bins into shady areas because too much heat could
kill the worms. I put all my kikuyu lawn clippings in my councils garden
waste bin where they reside for two weeks. After two weeks I move the
clippings into my compost bins. If I was to put the lawn clippings
straight into the compost bins the heat could kill off the worms.

Compost bins with worms need to be kept damp so chucking in a bucket of
water once a week is a good idea also vegetable peels, coffee grounds
etc. and sheets of wet newspaper are excellent for maintaining the food
content and the moisture. Worms love wet cardboard but try to select
cardboard without too much printing.