What to do with plant matter?

Seth Williamson · March 14, 2011

It has always seemed to me that, rather than throwing away weeds, or stems from last year's tomatoes, it makes more sense to plow them under or turn them under the soil more or less in place and plant over them.

My reasoning is that any plant -- weed or otherwise -- takes nutrients from the soil, so if you pull it up and throw it away, you're removing from the soil the nutrients used to build the plant.

I have a couple of friends who disagree vehemently and always throw away last year's stems, weeds, etc. I am not an expert gardener, of tomatoes or anything else, and I base my opinion on my understanding of the basic science involved. Then again, I'm not a scientist either.

I'm sure there are many here who can tell me if I'm right, or if I'm mistaken. Would love to get an expert opinion on this.

Seth Williamson

RayR · March 14, 2011

You are right, but you are better off composting them. Burying them slows down the process of decay because they are cut off from much of the oxygen needed.
Tomatoes are iffy, If they have any diseases, throw them out in the garbage.
Many weeds and grasses if buried will just sprout new growth from the buried roots and pop back up again.

BigBrownDogHouse · March 15, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayR

Many weeds and grasses if buried will just sprout new growth from the buried roots and pop back up again.

You said it! I don't like the idea of digging under weeds. Their seeds will sprout right back up again next season.
For me, weeds go in the weed bucket!

Seth Williamson · March 15, 2011

I understand your point, but re-sprouting weeds have never been an issue with me. I have mostly used either raised beds or Earthboxes, and any weed that dares to poke its head above dirt is immediately pulled (and pushed under again). I just hate the idea of losing the organic building blocks that went into the making of the weed.

creister · March 15, 2011

Seth,

Turnig soil causes weed growth from seeds that lay on top of the soil. When you turn them under, then they have the opportunity to germinate.

As a no-till (also controversial) cover cropper, what I do is cut down the cover crop, which is basically weeds, and just smother with a layer of mulch, much like lasagna composting.

hill60 · March 15, 2011

If the weeds haven't produced flowers or seed head they should be OK to turn under. We pull and leave them for the sun to bake then. Weeds take over in short order if they've been left to flower.

travis · March 15, 2011

I think you're ahead of the game when you identify and remove weeds and tomato debris that can overwinter tomato diseases. The rest can go into compost or direct surface mulch, in my opinion. A good layer of clean mulch should smother most weed seeds.

March 14, 2011	#1
Seth Williamson Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: VA Posts: 5	What to do with plant matter? It has always seemed to me that, rather than throwing away weeds, or stems from last year's tomatoes, it makes more sense to plow them under or turn them under the soil more or less in place and plant over them. My reasoning is that any plant -- weed or otherwise -- takes nutrients from the soil, so if you pull it up and throw it away, you're removing from the soil the nutrients used to build the plant. I have a couple of friends who disagree vehemently and always throw away last year's stems, weeds, etc. I am not an expert gardener, of tomatoes or anything else, and I base my opinion on my understanding of the basic science involved. Then again, I'm not a scientist either. I'm sure there are many here who can tell me if I'm right, or if I'm mistaken. Would love to get an expert opinion on this. Seth Williamson

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March 14, 2011	#2
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	You are right, but you are better off composting them. Burying them slows down the process of decay because they are cut off from much of the oxygen needed. Tomatoes are iffy, If they have any diseases, throw them out in the garbage. Many weeds and grasses if buried will just sprout new growth from the buried roots and pop back up again.

March 15, 2011	#4
Seth Williamson Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: VA Posts: 5	I understand your point, but re-sprouting weeds have never been an issue with me. I have mostly used either raised beds or Earthboxes, and any weed that dares to poke its head above dirt is immediately pulled (and pushed under again). I just hate the idea of losing the organic building blocks that went into the making of the weed.

March 15, 2011	#5
creister Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abilene, TX zone 7 Posts: 1,478	Seth, Turnig soil causes weed growth from seeds that lay on top of the soil. When you turn them under, then they have the opportunity to germinate. As a no-till (also controversial) cover cropper, what I do is cut down the cover crop, which is basically weeds, and just smother with a layer of mulch, much like lasagna composting.

March 15, 2011	#6
hill60 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vancouver Island BC Posts: 122	If the weeds haven't produced flowers or seed head they should be OK to turn under. We pull and leave them for the sun to bake then. Weeds take over in short order if they've been left to flower.

March 15, 2011	#7
travis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 2,984	I think you're ahead of the game when you identify and remove weeds and tomato debris that can overwinter tomato diseases. The rest can go into compost or direct surface mulch, in my opinion. A good layer of clean mulch should smother most weed seeds.