In northern climes, fall brings yards full of dead leaves.
You can haul them to the curb (if your town or city picks up leaves—many don’t). But wouldn’t it be better to turn them into rich garden soil for next spring?
Leaves make a good mulch. If they aren’t too deep, you can leave them right on the lawn or on the soil around bushes and trees. (It’s best to shred them first.) If there are a lot of leaves, though, you’ll need to rake them up or blow them into piles before you can use them for compost or mulch. Leaving a thick layer of leaves on your lawn can smother it.
Most experts recommend shredding leaves for composting. Shredding the leaves keeps them from scattering and speeds their decomposition into compost. You can leave them whole and add plenty of nitrogen-rich material, and they will eventually break down. It will just take longer. You will also need to turn the compost pile frequently to make sure the leaves don’t compact and turn into a slimy mat.
If you don’t have a shredder, the easiest way to shred leaves is to rake or blow them into low piles and run a lawnmower through them. A rotary mower works best. If your mower has a mulching attachment, use that.
Put the leaves, shredded or whole, in the compost pile. Because dead leaves contain a lot of carbon and little nitrogen, you’ll need to add plenty of nitrogen-rich “green” material, such as manure (the best bet), vegetable scraps, and fresh leaves and grass clippings. Build a layer of leaves, followed by a thinner layer of nitrogen rich compost ingredients. Keep layering until you’re out of materials.
Make sure the pile is at least 3 feet by 3 feet. You can compost leaves in a compost bin or compost tumbler, but leaves are bulky and if you have a lot of them, you’ll probably run out of room. Shredding the leaves will help you get more in the composting bin or tumbler.
Ideally, you want to keep your compost heap damp but not soggy—about as wet as a wrung-out sponge. Add a light spray of water to each layer as you build the compost heap. Then water the heap now and then as needed. Using a covered bin or laying a plastic tarp over the compost heap may be enough to keep it moist if you live in a damp climate. If you live in a dry climate, plan to water the heap regularly.
A healthy compost heap should smell earthy and pleasant, not like ammonia or rotting plants. Compost that stinks isn’t getting enough air. Turn the heap frequently to make sure beneficial bacteria has enough air to multiply. A pitchfork works fine.
Better yet, get a copy of Rod Turner’s excellent ebook on composting, The World’s Best Compost, and follow his precise recipes for a biodynamic compost pile that you never have to turn.
