Turning this year’s garden waste into next year’s free soil amendment is one of the best money-saving tricks a gardener can use. But tossing everything you pull, prune, or rake into the pile can also turn home compost problems into next season’s garden problems. It’s generally a good idea for home gardeners to leave out plant material showing visible disease or insect infestation, along with weeds capable of regrowing from roots or stems. Other Extension programs caution against seed-filled weeds and herbicide-treated plant material because backyard piles don’t always get hot enough to neutralize what you’re trying to eliminate. Before fall cleanup turns into one giant trip to the compost bin, separate these seven troublemakers from the material you actually want back in your beds.
