Content
- May twigs and leaves of cherry laurel be composted?
- Create compost properly
- Shred clippings
- What happens to the toxins contained in the plant?
- Aids that accelerate the composting process
- Tips & Tricks
May twigs and leaves of cherry laurel be composted?
Since the cherry laurel is poisonous in all plant parts, many garden owners are unsure whether the abundant pruning may be composted without concern.In principle, you can easily compost the leaves and the chopped branches of the laurel cherry, but should pay attention to some points.
Create compost properly
Foliage and garden waste rot in a properly formed compost heap within three quarters of a year to valuable humus. In order for the composting to proceed undisturbed, the composting material must be correctly assembled. It is important to mix soft clippings with coarse material and dry waste from the garden. Hard clippings like leaves and twigs of cherry laurel in a thick layer are very slow to rot. Grass clippings, on the other hand, decompose under exclusion of air and begin to rot. If there are too many dry components in the compost, it must be additionally moistened for the composting process to proceed.
Shred clippings
In order for the hard, leathery leaves and the branches of the laurel cherry to decompose quickly, it is important to shred or shred the garden waste. In this activity, you can perceive an intense bitter almond aroma, which comes from the glycosides contained in the plant. Be sure to wear gloves so that the skin does not come into contact with the toxins. Although poisoning is excluded by pure skin contact, the glycosides can trigger severe allergies.
What happens to the toxins contained in the plant?
Nature knows no poisons and the responsible for the composting microorganisms are easily able to transform the clippings of the laurel cherry in non-toxic humus. Through the composting process, the toxins of cherry laurel are completely biodegraded. In the rotted compost, the glycosides contained in the plant are no longer detectable. The mature compost can also be safely applied to vegetable beds.
Aids that accelerate the composting process
So that the hard leaves of the cherry laurel rot better it is recommended to use compost starter. The addition of mineral additives is advisable. Can be used:
Tips & Tricks
You can also use the chopped pruning mixed with bark mulch for mulching the hedge. The slowly rotting plant material not only keeps the soil warm and free of weeds, but also helps to improve the soil.