Root Balls

Ah yes the time has come as my tomatoes in the greenhouse give up the last of their crop to give them the chop and launch them on the compost heap.

Every year though I'm left with the rootball and never quite know what to do with it? Any suggestions please? I've had a look at next doors fence and with a good wind I should be able to launch them over but alternative suggestions are welcome!

I have 20 plus plants plus a couple of chillies to go, all in pots and wondered best way of disposal (avoiding neighbours garden!)

Many thanks,

MrM

 

Could you not chop the root balls up into smaller pieces with a spade and put them on the compost heap too???

 

I wasn't sure if they would breakdown? I guess they probably would but with the compost around them wouldn't they take ages and slow down the rest ofthe heap?

 

I just roughly chop up my tomato plants and chuck the whole lot, roots and all, on the compost heap every year. Can't say I've ever noticed them taking too long to rot down or slowing things down at all.
Any compost still around the roots shouldn't be a problem, it's already compost isn't it?
It's normally hard, woody materials which take a long time to rot down in a compost heap.
For some reason, sweet corn cobs take ages too.
Worst of all are coconut shells, last for years they do! :DOH: