Comments on: Using Leaves for Composting

By: steve

steve — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:15:35 +0000

@Cindy Hatcher, Any seeds including the “helicopter” maple seeds have a fairly good chance of surviving the composting process. Typically the compost needs to get over 140 degrees to kill them, which the average compost bin is 120 degrees or less. I suggest avoid adding them and the few that make it may or may not germinate. It’s easy enough when spreading the finished compost to pull any that have sprouted out and toss them to the side. Any others that make it to your garden can likewise be pulled out.

By: Cindy Hatcher

Cindy Hatcher — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:25:37 +0000

Just starting composting and as I add dried leaves from last fall, am also wondering if I can add the little “helicopter” maple seeds that have fallen this spring and are everywhere. Not sure if they’ll break down as quickly as the rest and whether they will survive the process and end up planting lots of little maple trees in my composted areas.

By: charlie

charlie — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:10:15 +0000

very good info. on the leaves which is 75% of our pile. some people in our area us liquid molasses in their mulch pile. they mix it: 1oz to 1 gal.; will this be of value and how and when do you apply it to the pile? thanks for your help, charlie

By: Jon Gibson

Jon Gibson — Wed, 02 May 2012 03:24:15 +0000

Leave the snakes alone! You know they may be there, so make a racket on the bin before opening it, they’ll leave. They like you a LOT less than you like them. Work with the environment, never against it.

By: steve

steve — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:21:00 +0000

@Tom, I don’t suggest adding sticks (twigs) unless they are chipped or shredded. Sticks and twigs take years to break down. Weeds can be a problem as well. If your pile does not get hot enough to kill the seeds you could end up spreading them when you use your finished compost. You need a good mix of browns and greens. A ratio of four parts browns to one part greens is a good ratio. If you don’t have a good source of greens, i.e. not enough kitchen scraps, a good source of nitrogen is coffee grounds. Many coffee shops give used coffee grounds away for free, just stop by one mid morning. The best use for your finished compost is any where it’s needed. If you have low spots in your lawn, planting a new garden, etc.

By: steve

steve — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:05:29 +0000

@Slater, Yes ash from your fire place is great but don’t overdo it. I suggest you add maybe a half gallon full of ash at a time. Give it a good mix and wait a week or two before adding more.

By: steve

steve — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:00:26 +0000

@Joe, I suggest you let the leaves break down before adding them to your soil. Build yourself a compost bin with bricks or pallets and add the leaves with some kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, etc. If possible before adding them to your compost pile shred the leaves with a shredder or mower over them.

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:05:22 +0000

I am new at gardening but i have a spot for one but it has not been used for a few years. I have a bunch of leaves from last fall in bags. Would it help our dirt if i ground them up and put them in the soil a week or two before i plant vegetables in it?

By: slater

slater — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:50:32 +0000

Hi Steve, thanks so much for this article, i’m impressed by your responses too. I have an outdoor firepit and i was wondering if i can incorporate the ash from this (i produce a lot) into the composting. i have a good handle on the article, but i was wondering if the levels anything should/could be cut back to compensate for the addition of ash.

Slater

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:31:46 +0000

Hi Steve. I made a pile of shredded leaves (maple, oak, sycamore) approx 5′x5′x3′. I have added some grass clippings and coffee grounds and have been keeping it moist. I have 2 questions. The first is, how much/little yard waste is acceptable, preferable, not preferable. When I say yard waste I am mostly referring to: grass clippings, weeds+roots+soil waste (from weeding), small tree limbs etc. I generate quite a bit of yard waste in my yard and would prefer to do something with it. Right now I have a huge pile of weeds/soil/sticks in the back that I am afraid to add to the compost pile. My second question is, what will be the best use for the leaf compost when it is ready? Garden beds? Vegetable beds? For tree holes? any other things you can think of? Thanks so much for this article and for answering questions.

-Tom