Hi, Sharon, I wouldn't worry about the toxicity of small amounts of daffodil leaves (even large amounts) in the compost pile.
Which "mole plant?" Ricinus communis (castor bean), or Euphorbia lathyris (called 'sassy jack' around here)? Small amounts of either? I'd toss 'em in. Here are some general rules we follow: For practical reasons, keep plants like poison oak or ivy, sassy jack, etc out of the pile, since they irritate the skin and are a pain to work with. Likewise with very thorny stuff. For plants that are dangerous if eaten, we should all be more careful about including them in food gardens, even as hedges or 'landscaping. Generally, however, they won't 'poison' a compost pile, since the active substances will be biodegraded by microbial action long before you get finished compost (composting is used for bioremediation for just that reason). (Don't try that with heavy metals, of course! Be very cautious about using any compost made with biosolids mixed with industrial waste, as happens in too many cities. I avoid them for food gardens.) I like daffies and use them in gardens I work with, and haven't ever heard of problems. However, some folks always ask 'are those onions?' when we have to move bulbs when some still have green tops. For things like castor bean, or oleander out West or in Florida, I avoid them, but they are very common in the landscape. Castor bean is pretty spectacular, actually, if you like that look. Still, I won't grow them anywhere near food. However, you may want to have an educational/ornamental planting with a sign explaining how dangerous they are (or as Mike says, the particular parts) and their medicinal uses. Likewise, I won't grow sweet peas in a children's garden near the sugar snaps - though people have done this since the days of Alan Chadwick and before. Good luck, Don Boekelheide Charlotte NC Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 11:20:39 -0400 From: "Sharon Gordon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Community_garden] Two compost safety questions In trying to compost as much as possible, we are trying to decide what items can be added to the compost pile. We've seen recomendations not to add toxic plants such as to compost that will be used on food gardens poison oak poison ivy oleander We have questions about two other items: daffodil leaves Mole plant--Euphorbia lathyris Sharon gordonse at one.net
