Grass trimmings - Ask Extension
Would the bottom of grass trimmings compost be safe to use now after several yrs, has rotted to rich black dirt. Has had dandelion and creeping Charl...
Knowledgebase
Grass trimmings #549678
Asked March 29, 2019, 11:23 AM EDT
Would the bottom of grass trimmings compost be safe to use now after several yrs, has rotted to rich black dirt. Has had dandelion and creeping Charlie in it when piled up. Thank you.
Philadelphia County Pennsylvania
Expert Response
The plant material has most likely reached the stage where it is humus, an end product of decomposition of organic matter. Weed seeds may still be able to germinate if the pile didn't get hot enough to kill the seeds.
Here is a quote about humus: "Humus can also hold the equivalent of 80 to 90 percent of its own weight in moisture, increasing the soil's capacity to withstand drought. The structure of humus enables it to act as a buffer against soils that are too alkaline or acidic, and the dark color even helps to warm up cold soil in the spring."
You might want to get a test kit from your Penn State Extension and
find out what active organic matter is still in the mix. If you are too far from your local extension, here is a link to the lab at State College.:
