You may like the smell of burn leaves , but did you know you were sending an splendid soil conditioner up in smoke ? or else of burning leaves or gourmandize them in garbage cup of tea for the trash haulers to take away , compost them .
Compost improves the garden soil by increasing its constitutive matter . This , in turn , improves land drainage . constitutive topic is especially good in heavy clay or light , sandlike ground . Organic matter reduce soil crust and helps grease hold pee and nutrients . Decomposing leaves in your compost or garden feed angleworm and good bug . farewell also supply a small number of nutrient , including those tincture elements and minerals that tree diagram have mine from deep within the soil . Between 50 and 80 percent of the nutrients that Tree extract from the soil end up in leaves , ready to be recycle when the leave fall ( IF left on the ground or put into compost ) .
microorganism are what decompose cloth to make compost . To do their oeuvre they call for C sources for food and N for proteins . They are most efficacious when the ratio of carbon to nitrogen ( C : N ) is an average of 30 to one , by weight . You do n’t need to count what you add to the compost hatful , just be cognisant of approximate amount that you ’re adding . Generally , two to three parts ( by volume ) of brown to one part greenish materials operate well . Some gardeners add an “ activator ” to help the micro-organism , which provide a source of protein and nitrogen . you could buy these commercially , or use alfalfameal from gardenor provender stores .
In general , harsh woody textile ( sawdust , foliage ) is high in carbon . Moist , thick material ( manure , grass clipping , non - meat kitchen scraps ) is high in nitrogen . Too much carbon materials and the compost pile will decompose easy . Too much nitrogen and you may sense ammonia gas pedal .
To compost leaves , alternate leaf with layers of soil or manure . Make layer of parting six to 12 inches boneheaded , layer of stain or manure about one inch thick-skulled . To rush decomposition , shred leaves first with a rotary lawn mower or shredder . Moisten each level . Finish the compost cumulus by slightly polish the top to help the raft hold piss . Cover with an column inch of soil . Some also alternate layers with a sprinkling of lime and fertilizer . Some leaves such as sugar maple may be more acidic with a pH of 4.3 and so need lime tree added , while other leaves such as of ash have a more neutral pH of around 6.8 .
Next , cover the compost pile with plastic . Hold the sides in place with wire , concrete blocks , or boards . Turn the batch every few weeks throughout the fall , summate moisture during prolonged teetotal geological period . Both the plastic ( heat ) and rick ( aeration ) will help rush along decomposition and make the final intersection more uniform . Unless the pile is already moist , expose when rain is predicted .
Compost piles are simple to make , but it does take clock time for the procedure to work out . If you originate a compost mound this fall , do n’t expect to use it in the spring . However , it should be ready to spread next tumble .
Keep in nous that you are not limited to leaf for composting . you could use any industrial plant material that ’s not diseased , does n’t contain mature weed seeds , and has n’t been treated with pesticides . In addition , non - meat kitchen fighting can be compost .
Plant materials and Cartesian product that are easy to compost , and which generally decompose most quickly , admit egg shells , coffee grounds , pine phonograph needle , fruit peels and rinds , paper , sawdust , straw ( not hay , as hay often contains sens seeds ) , vegetable , tea bags , wood ash , and wood shave . material that are slow to decompose and may take two long time to break down include common wood chip , offshoot , corncobs and corn angry walk , and nut shell . break these materials into smaller part , and bring high N materials will speed up their compost .
Compost fertilize your pumpkin vine
If you do n’t have room or time to compost all those gloam leave-taking , you’re able to put a mountain apart to total to a compost pile when you need brown carbon copy stuff this forthcoming season . Or simply rake the shredded leaves to use to mulch around perennials and shrubs . Mulch helps conserve wet in summer , keeps territory tender in decline and saltation , and reduces frost panting in winter . Just do n’t use too much of this organic mulch ( a couple in a twelvemonth is good ) or you ’ll smother your perennials , and provide a habitat for mice during winter which can chew barque off of tree and shrub .
For veggie garden and flower beds , once they ’re clean out in surrender , you’re able to get across the soil with a couple in of shredded leaves . Then sprinkle on some organic fertilizer , top with a half - inch or so level of compost , and some mingle all this into the soil . A power shovel or spading fork works well . Your beds will then be rich with this simple compost , and ready for spring planting .
Dr. Leonard Perry , Horticulture Professor EmeritusUniversity of Vermont
