Would that be because, when incorporated into the soil as raw they would deplete the fertility?

Why would my potatoes thrive with well mixed lawn clippings?(at least at first)

Would mint and bind weed be likely to take root just from the stems?

Yes, mint and bindweed can both root from the stems. I also included montbretia because even though the stems won't root there's always a risk you'll miss a corm.

I'm pretty sure mint can root from stems, regrow from tiny pieces of root and self-seeds vigorously. The only part of the plant that I think is safe is flowers, but you need to make sure none have gone to seed.

Bolted lettuce should be fine. If it self seeds and the critters don't get it, you'll get some lettuce. Rhubarb stems should be fine, too.

In general, they say fresh compost robs the soil of nitrogen while composting. Grass breaks down quickly and generates heat, which can be very good in cooler climates. If the benefit you're getting is some heat, then the other plants are unlikely to be as successful.

Can I get around this by incorporating some extra nitrogen into the soil with a bit of pelleted manure?( I mean along with the chopped up weeds )

That way can lighten the soil without depleting the fertility ...

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You could but why make work? Putting the stuff on the surface it'll rot down and improve the soil texture without any effort on your part. Let the worms and other soil life do the work. Google 'sheet composting'.

Well, this late in the season I don't have time to properly prepare the bed and have run out of my own nicely rotted compost.

Also just to know that it's possible to do. ( I like to experiment)

I chop up some finished crops, expecially lettuce, right where they grew and cover with hay. I also sometimes cut off the tops of carrots (though total carrot failure for me this year) and lay them where they grew and cover.

If you need any bindweed, let me know.

@annpat A kind offer.I will take a gigabind if you have the bindwidth.

Oh. I have the bindwidth.

If you have the budget, a few bales of straw will do beautiful things to a new bed. Also, you might have a nearby leaf dump like I do, but then you'd have to borrow c_v's new trailer.

@annpat do you mean to lay it , to dig it in or to compost? I have donks and so I buy a few bales for bedding every year. .Actually their favourite treat is bindweed -although I have never given them the "this or that" test for preference. Other than bindweed they go mad for coffee filters full of spent grounds as well as juicy vegetable castoffs like fennel tops

I'd use it as a mulch---pretty much what you're doing with the weed tops, but less risky.