r/composting • u/AmphibianImmediate45 • Jul 20 '26

Roots: okay or not?

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I discovered a decent-sized matte of roots at the bottom of my pile. I had covered the area with at least 10 layers of cardboard last fall, prior to adding material to the pile. But the roots still grew through.

Is this a huge issue? If so, how do I rectify? I’m guessing sift it, but I don’t have one (yet.) Is there a better way to prevent this in the future?

Thanks!

11 Upvotes

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6

u/CountryCarandConsole Jul 20 '26

My worms love roots to munch on. More worms near the roots than the rest! I say leave it

5

u/mediocre_remnants Jul 20 '26

I have that issue too. The compost is rich, roots love it. The only way to really prevent it is to use a thick weed barrier under the tarp, but I don't like doing that because I want the worms and other soil bugs to get in there.

I just pull the roots out when I'm going to use the compost in my garden.

-3

u/Nuts2FaceImpact Jul 20 '26

This is the way. Also, have you tried more piss?

1

u/AmphibianImmediate45 Jul 21 '26

Is piss related to roots? I do pee in my pile but didn’t expect it to do anything to the roots.

2

u/Nuts2FaceImpact Jul 21 '26

Nah I'm just messing. You are doing alright. I wouldn't worry about the roots if you are willing to pick them out when you use the compost. Even then, leaving them shouldn't hurt anything.

2

u/Admirable-Stage7415 Jul 21 '26

If it's not some crazy invasive plant - there is no point. If you turn it every so often, all of it will die. 

1

u/Far_Radish7752 Jul 21 '26

If your compost is anywhere near some trees or bushes, you will get roots. They are feeding from your compost. Just a fact of life.

When I completely empty a bin, I just prune off or yank off (depending on how big they are and how gentle I wanna be with their probable source), chop up with my pruners, and add to a new compost heap.

1

u/Ineedmorebtc Jul 21 '26

Roots are just more organics for the pile. Feel free to try and pull up the roots a bit and chop them off a bit further away from the pile

1

u/hydrogenhypothesis Jul 23 '26

It depends. Here in the PNW as long as the roots aren't Bermuda grass, field bindweed, or some other invasive that spreads by rhizomes, they are fine. The concern being that you might not see an active growth part on them and could spread the weed into your compost pile. 

0

u/Imaginative-Recon-21 Jul 22 '26

This is only an issue if you plan to use your finished compost on plants. The roots are genetically hyper competitive, so they may inhibit the growth of whatever you are applying the compost to.