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Cranbrook bc

We've got a weeping willow in the backyard and so far it's dropped probably a hundred pounds of leaves and its not even a quarter done, I figured I should take advantage of this and compost it for next year, any idea what I should add to help break the leaves down faster? I haven't composted before so I don't know if they'll go down on their own, if not or if it's really slow I'll buy something to speed the rate of decomposition.

10/14/2015 2:27:01 AM

Muddy Waters

Nitrogen any form will work

10/14/2015 6:08:24 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Grass Clippings or fresh manure

10/14/2015 7:29:15 AM

Eganville, Ontario

Coffee is probably the best if you can stop into a coffee shop and see if they'll give you a pail of coffee grounds. It lights up a pile of leaves.

There's a lot of information online about great tips on composting. You want about 7-10" of browns Carbon (leaves, dead grass, etc) to 1-2" of greens -Nitrogen (grass clippings, manure, coffee).

If layered properly, you'll hit incredible temperatures in 2-4 days. The bigger the pile, the warmer it stays longer. Flipping the pile every 10 days to 2 weeks will break down the leaves twice as fast than if you flip only every month or so.

I've made compost the last three years and its always interesting. The temperatures, and the breakdown always has something happening. I have about 350 garbage bags of leaves a year, and after a year they are ready for my garden. It's the only amendment I use now.

When you're layering, dampen the leaves with a hose. Don't flood them, but too dry takes longer to breakdown (create heat).

10/14/2015 7:55:18 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Ryan, are you saying those fall leaves are ready for spring or are you on a 1 year delay. So leaves from Fall 15 used in spring 16, fall 16 or spring 17?

10/14/2015 8:54:32 AM

Eganville, Ontario

No, a full year. So I'll be spreading Fall leaves 2014 on the patch this month when I get a half day to get at it.

I'm lazy though...I could have flipped the pile more often for better breakdown, however when you have a leaf mountain it's a bit of work with the fork in between vine burying times.

There's some leaf pile compost shots in my diary this year I believe. Definitely a bunch of photos in my 2014 diary.

From what I've read, you could probably get away with adding this falls leaves in the upcoming spring in your climate, and if you flipped the pile every 10 days all winter. They'd be broken down if you had a good C:N mix and flipped often.

10/14/2015 10:03:07 AM

BC, Canada

My annual ritual for garlic planting, started putting the cloves in yesterday, is to take lots of maple leaves and pile them on the grassy areas around the property (maybe 5 to 6 inches deep). I go to these with the mower, bag on, and that mulch goes on top of the garlic beds, about 5 to 8 inches deep, the more the better. Usually wet here but if it has been dry I water it to hold it in place. I didn't water it one year and we had a good wind before any rain; oops! By next year harvesting time that mulch has turned into a thin layer that has basically become part of the soil. I often then plant a fall crop in the same spot after the garlic comes out. I have found that if you don't have enough grass you can add some later put it is a lot more effort.
I would probably use Ryans method if it was for the pumpkin patch. Leaves left in garbage bags for a couple of years turns into a nice leaf mulch. Neighbors love it, I rake up their leaves for them.

10/14/2015 11:10:52 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Thanks Ryan

10/14/2015 1:45:44 PM

Ontario

If u need it for spring i have put layered leaves then manure that has been piled for at least 6 months then repeat and covered with a good foot of straw or hay. You will be suprised how much it breaks down over winter. But i am by no means an expert.. 1st year grower here...Ryan's way is the way to go if you dont need for spring

10/14/2015 10:35:15 PM