For composting can I put vegetables with seeds in the bin?

Question

I'm thinking like tomatoes or cucumbers? Or do I have to remove the seeds before I compost them? If I leave the seeds in won't I have little tomato and cucumber plants growing in the bin?

Answer 1

Composted seeds will be destroyed if, only if, the heat of the compost pile will exceed 60C for a week,

But be careful of what that means.

Every part of the contents of the pile must have maintained that temperature for at least a day.

It is indeed a rare small compost pile that ever gets its surface temperature that high.

Most municipal compost operations so not accept for composting rhizomes, roots that cause more plants to erupt from them. Why? because even larger piles often have surface material left on the surface after turning.

But one can build and turn a compost pile in such a way as to have every part properly heated. One removes the outer part of the pile, starting a new pile with it, then covers that new pile with the part of the pile that was previously at its core.

But very frankly you do need a fair size of pile to get the amount of heating needed to kill seeds and roots.

Answer 2

Why of course. Anything organic (and I mean that scientifically, not like stuff labeled as 'organic') can basically be composted.

The seeds may be destroyed, or they may sprout while in the compost bin (where the microorganisms will simply kill the new sprout before it can get to the light), or the seed may sprout after you've used the composted material as fertilizer/soil (in which case you could let it grow and get some of your own food or kill it before it does any damage to your garden plants).

You can compost almost all of your organic kitchen waste. Though, I don't suggest composting meat, milk, eggs, or anything else made exclusively from animals - it would decompose, but will attract insects (mostly flies and biting insects) in the process.

Answer 3

Dont Remove the seeds. if it grows let it grow

Answer 4

i have a large compost area in my back yard... i throw all produce in with seeds. occasionally something will sprout. i have had pumpkin, potatoes, and huge sunflowers actually grow. i remove the plants i want to keep and plant them in pots before churning the compost. if you don't want  growth you should  keep churning the soil to keep the plants from settling or remove the sprout and  let it dry out before throwing it back in. i believe the key is to keep the soil loose and moving.

composting is amazing...

Answer 5

I put all my seeds in my compost and about the only ones who survive the "cooking" are the cantaloupe seeds.  And even then, it's not many.  I just let them sprout and if they come up where I don't want them, I pull them out.  No biggie.

Answer 6

Having stuff grow in your compost is a plus.  Often it makes good eating but as a minimum it creates "green manure."  Many farmers plant a winter cover crop that is plowed under in the spring.  It's a real benefit to the soil.

Answer 7

I like vegetables

Answer 8

Absolutely DO compost the whole thing.  This is the best usage of the organic matter.  Just remember to add dry waste, such as leaves and grass clippings when available.

Answer 9

yes, cucumbers tomatoes are viney but it should wear down

with other things in bin like grass leafs pineneedles from Xmas

it should come out in the wash