[Arid_gardener] Sunflower Stalks in the Compost?

[Dick Gross]

I have been a backyard compostor for over 50 years, Susanne, and still learning. I love sunflowers, have grown and composted a lot of their debris with no ill effects that I have seen. Sun flowers extract a lot from the soil and additional fertilizer and water would be needed for pole beans and sunflowers growing in close proximity. I would have no compunction about putting both species in the same hole for natural trellis.

I have heard that eucalyptus and oleander are both toxic to competition from other plant species but I believe neither, when completely composted, would leave any of the deliterious effects in the soil. Oleander will, of course, make one sick--or worse, if ingested.. 

I would not knowingly grow any plant I believe to be toxic or poisonous. I hate oleander and caster bean, for example. You will never see any of these botanical outlaws growing in my space.

I have a Eucalyptis tree. Every leaf and branch that I can physically shred goes into my compost with no apparent ill effects.

If composting is complete, every original organic compound will have been eaten, digested, broken down and excreted by the multitude of micro-organisms living in the soil. Otherwise, it ain't compost as I percieve it.

Composting is a critical subject with which all Master Gardeners should be intimate; both in performing it and teaching it. 

If any of you have additional, clarifying or correctional information  on the subject of compost above, you have an obligation under your Master Gardener "pledge" to share it in this forum. 

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
University of Arizona Maricopa County
Cooperative Extension.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Suzanne Vilardi 
  To: arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu 
  Sent: Monday, July 03, 2006 7:12 AM
  Subject: [Arid_gardener] Sunflower Stalks in the Compost?


  I have heard not to put Oleander into the compost pile, but what about sunflower stalks?  I have read something about sunflowers producing a chemical in their roots that is toxic to some other plants, and I have observed in my own garden that beans don't grow well near sunflowers.  Can anyone tell me if it is ok to put the chopped up stalks into my compost pile?  Thanks, Suzanne Vilardi



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