This discussion has been closed.
Posted by rockwell (U13667131) on Tuesday, 18th May 2010
Is it sensible to put rhubarb leaves in the compost bin? I know they're poisonous to eat.
I do! and have done for 30years+ and I'm still here to tell the tale!
I put them in my compost too
Is it sensible to put rhubarb leaves in the compost bin? I know they're poisonous to eat.
You eat your compost ???
Thanks for your reply. You must try it sometime.
I asked a poison expert about this. It is fine to put them in the compost.
oh yes, away into the compost with them. Have have you ever wondered who found out you could eat the stems and not the leaves? Once the leaves have rotted in the compost all is well with it.
make a soup of the leaves
it is excellent organic greenfly spray
Hi shortspade, i have an abundance of rhubarb and last year an abundance of greenfly, pesky things stopped my sweet-peas from flowering. It would be great to be ready for the attack, how would i make the rhubarb spray?
Rhubarb leaves can be added to the compost heap without any fear of adding poison to it.
Kaz - The leaves contain the poison oxalic acid, which needs to be extracted by infusion and does indeed make a useful insecticide that will zap aphids, caterpillars and lots of other things.
Simmer about 1½ lb of rhubarb leaves in 3 pints of water for about 20 mins, after it has cooled strain and add a few drops of washing-up liquid. Then use as a spray.
soak leaves for about three weeks
this leaches the oxalates from plant
add soap flakes or a conentrate made from old soap bars
they are poisonous to us
dilute one in five
watch them squim
Compost away-that tale about them being too acidic was short lived and a myth that came when gardening proprammes started using `celebs` instead of gardeners.
Thanks for tips on making a rubarb spray,looking forward to trying it out.
Pinging for the rhubarb spray recipe
Welcome to the new Gardening Board. If this is your first time, then make sure you check out the
or  to take part in a discussion.
The message board is currently closed for posting.
Weekdays 09:00-00:00
Weekends 10:00-00:00
This messageboard is .
Find out more about this board's
Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú © 2014 The Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.