Composting Ragwort

Nigel103 · July 2020

Would it be OK to add Ragwort to a compost heap. The heap is about eight foot square and four foot high but sits next to a field with some ponies. Thanks.

Hostafan1 · July 2020

if it's not set seed, I see no reason why not

Loraine3 · July 2020

I wouldn't risk it if you've got ponies nearby.

Dovefromabove · July 2020

Dead ragwort is actually more palatable to cattle and horses ... and more toxic than in its green state.

Much as I love ragwort as the larval food plant of the cinnabar moth, if there are ponies in the vicinity I would burn it if possible, otherwise bag and bin.

NewbiePlantAddict · July 2020

It is also toxic to people as well as horses and cattle - if you are pulling it then you should wear gloves or ideally use a fork. It is covered in the Weeds Act 1959 - with regards to preventing the spread of it. As already mentioned, I would bag it and bin it, or if you can then burn it.

nutcutlet · July 2020

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/nature/ragwort-poisonous-ragwort-mythbuster

Hostafan1 · July 2020

Unless the animals leap over boundary fences I can't see it doing any harm IN the compost bin. But I know nothing.

Fire · July 2020

NewbiePlantAddict said:

It is also toxic to people as well as horses and cattle - if you are pulling it then you should wear gloves or ideally use a fork. It is covered in the Weeds Act 1959 - with regards to preventing the spread of it. As already mentioned, I would bag it and bin it, or if you can then burn it.

I underrstand the dangers have been very overstated.

Dovefromabove · July 2020

Hostafan1 said:

Unless the animals leap over boundary fences I can't see it doing any harm IN the compost bin. But I know nothing.

Having kept ponies, i can confirm that in my personal experience it is in their nature to leap over boundary fences and eat things they're not supposed to ... involving a lot of pain and unpleasantness to the pony and huge vet bills for the owner 😭

I do agree with @nutcutlet that the ragwort is valuable to wildlife and I certainly wouldn't pull any up if it's not in the vicinity of grazing stock ... but if people are going to pull it up it needs to be disposed of safely.

Hostafan1 · July 2020

don't the owners of the animals have decent fences in place to stop their animals getting into neighbours' gardens?

Dovefromabove · July 2020

Yes I did! But there was a public footpath through the field so there was a top rail that could be lifted off so walkers could clamber over the stile ... they didn’t put the bar back 🤬 so the young Dartmoor pony jumped the fence and got into the hay meadow and got colic.

My bolshie Exmoor x cob actually broke out of a stable that had kept a horse twice his size well-contained, and managed to get the lid off a metal feed bin and guzzle a large helping of un-soaked sugar beet pulp nuts ... they have to be soaked before they’re incorporated into the feed.

The vet had to put a tube up Scamp’s nose and down his throat and flush water into his stomach to prevent a blockage. Flippin pony came with that name already attached ... it should’ve been a warning.

These things happen in the best managed stables.

Ponies are crafty and very determined, especially where food is involved.

Fortunately we were surrounded by our own land ... not everyone is as fortunate.

Composting Ragwort

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