Comments on: Using Leaves for Composting

By: steve

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:33:17 +0000

@jeanne, Camphor trees are considered a highly invasive species and there is debate to the use of their leaves as mulch is toxic to other plants and therefore should not be used as mulch. If you plan to use the finished compost as a barrier to stop growth there is likely not going to be a problem. However if you are using it as a mulch around existing plant it may cause them a problem.

By: jeanne

jeanne — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:47:28 +0000

What about camphor tree leaves?

By: steve

steve — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:24:15 +0000

Zeke, The minimal amount of nutrients is not really enough to justify leaving the leaves if the person with the garden is more concerned about ecstatic appeal. It’s really a personal preference, if they don’t mind the leaves then yes having them break down is better, but it takes so long that it might not be worth it. Especially if a spring garden is in the plans.

By: Zeke

Zeke — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:32:06 +0000

Most of my clients are not interested in composting their own tree leaf litter. I try to collect it for them and put it in my own compost bin but it’s too much for me. Is it better to leave the fallen leaves in the garden where they will slowly decompose, or should I remove the leaves and add fresh compost mulch? Obviously the first option is free to the client, whereas the second option is not. I appreciate your thoughts.

By: steve

steve — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:47:51 +0000

@Kevin, If you planted your vegetables in soil mainly comprised of compost you would likely not see good results. If you want to go that route you should consider using several different types of compost. At least 3 different types of compost is recommended, cow, mushroom, cottonseed, etc. Also, add some vermiculite and peat moss or coir from coconut husks. The peat moss and coir will help the soil not dry out so quickly.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:02:49 +0000

Steve – Interesting article and thanks. Funny because I run the mower over the leaves since it just seemed to make sense that the smaller they were the faster it would break down and the do not blow away. I was told that too much wood in the compost would create too much nitrogen. Is this true? We got a load of “compost” from a local stable but it appeared to have a lot of sawdust or wood byproducts and the vegetables that we planted in it did not seems to do so well. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

By: steve

steve — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:23:35 +0000

@Veena, Not to familiar with “mapple grass” however I imagine like any other grass, when green is a source of nitrogen and when dried its a source of carbon.

By: veena

veena — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:09:27 +0000

what is the composition of mapple grass (an agricultural waste)

By: steve

steve — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:40:55 +0000

@Larry, Yes, you can add both cow manure and oleander leaves to your garden however I would strongly suggest composing both first. Try shredding the leaves to, this will help them break down much quicker. Even running over them with the lawn mower a few times will make a difference, and if you don’t it could take up to a year or longer for them to break down.

By: larry

larry — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 19:24:05 +0000

can you put cow manure an dried oleander leaves directly into your garden?? an how long will it take for oleander leaves to compose in the ground ???