Sprouting Compost

Question

I have used compost in my garden for years, but I get frustrated with the sprouting of multiple plant seeds. I end up with unintentional tomatoes, squash, etc.coming up when I use the compost. How do you keep the seeds in the compost from sprouting?

Answer 1

If the seeds in the compost are sprouting, it means that the compost is not "heating" up properly. Every couple of weeks, add a shovelful of dirt to the pile and also make sure that your browns and greens are in balance. This will get the microbes going and the compost pile will heat up to a temp where it will kill the seeds.