[ArosP]

So last year I had piggies on my veg patch to clear it but I have been a bit busy elsewhere and now I have turned around hoping to plant veg only to find that there has been an explosion of docks and buttercups. So far I have cleared and planted some beds but its growing faster than I can clear and one problem I have is the sheer bulk of weeds. I have been told I can put dock leaves in the compost so that will reduce it a bit but what about buttercups-could I mow them and put the leaves and flowers in compost or is that just going to cause more  ???problems?

[MAK]

I would say that if you can keep the heat up in the compost then it should all decompose. Sound s like that you will need to have a few heaps/bins on the go though.

[hughesy]

Trouble with docks is that there are millions of seeds lying dormant in the ground. Even if you use a systemic weedkiller on the foliage above ground, then cultivate the soil, after a while these will germinate and if you don't keep on top of them you'll be back to square one in no time.

[northfifeduckling]

You can immerse them in a large tub of water with lid on, that should kill it after a few months. It still does not solve the issue of them growing and spreading faster than you and I  can clear them but at least those roots don't come back to life on your compost. Cut remaining dock before it goes to seed!

[Susannah]

It took us a long time, a few years, but continual cutting before flowering works eventually.

[cloddopper]

Olde country folks lore , saying for dock and thistles etc .

 Cut in June that's far too soon , cut in July they surely die

Reason :-   July is usually drier down in the soil than a hot June so the plants are not into reproduction mode  .

 Mind Roundup or Grazon 90 does a good job if your not into organic stuff.