It's a no-brainer that you can put things like vegetable peels, grass clippings and raked leaves into a compost pile, where they'll eventually break down into beneficial mulch. But you might be surprised to learn there are some weeds that shouldn't immediately be put in the pile after they've been pulled. Stubborn, prolific weeds like dandelion, kudzu and even fast-growing ivy seem to thrive in any condition, and your nutrient-rich compost is no exception. If you have weeds or fast-growers like these, place them on a tarp in the hot sun to "bake" for a few days before adding to your compost. Otherwise, they could actually regrow and thrive in your compost pile.
ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION