The Art of Composting Leaves

Written By Chelsea Hafer

Turning a Seasonal Chore into Nutrient-Rich Gold

Fall often marks the arrival of crisp air, vibrant foliage, and the annual task of raking leaves. While it's tempting to bag up this natural debris and send it on its way to the landfill, there's a more environmentally friendly and garden-enhancing option available: composting. Composting leaves is not only a sustainable way to manage yard waste, but it can also yield a nutrient-rich, earthy-smelling material that your garden will love. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the art of composting leaves, providing you with everything you need to know to turn your seasonal chore into a garden goldmine.

Why Compost Leaves?

Tidying up your yard in the fall can easily turn into a day-long job. After all that hard work, put your leaves to good use. Compost is the best way to do that. Its many benefits make your lengthy leaf cleanup well worth it. Best of all, compost is simple to make!

There are two ways to compost leaves: leaf compost and leaf mulch. Leaf compost is a mix of leaves and other organic materials, like grass clippings or food waste, creating a nutrient-rich product for your garden. Leaf mulch, also known as leaf mold, is simply leaves and water, making it an excellent choice for moisture retention and weed prevention.

How to Compost Dry Leaves in a Bin or Pile

1. Shred the leaves:Use a mower to shred the leaves, catching them in the mower bag.

2. Create a pile:Add the shredded leaves to a compost bin or pile them up in a corner of your yard.

3. Layer it up:Alternate between layers of leaves and nitrogen-rich items like cottonseed meal, fresh grass clippings, food waste, or manure.

4. Turn the pile:Every month, use a pitchfork or shovel to turn the compost. Check for moisture during turning; add water if you notice dry patches, and add dry ingredients like leaves, straw, or sawdust if it appears soggy or smells rotten.

5. Monitor moisture:Maintain the pile's moisture level, similar to a damp but drained sponge.

6. Complete the process:Continue turning and monitoring moisture until the compost is dark, crumbly, and has an earthy smell. With the right balance of materials and regular turning, you can have compost in a couple of months.

Making Leaf Mulch in Garbage Bags

Leaf mulch is different from compost as it doesn't add as many nutrients to the soil. It also doesn’t heat up enough during composting to kill pests and pathogens. However, it's excellent for mulching, recycling carbon and nutrients, and controlling weeds. To make leaf mold in garbage bags:

1. Shred the leaves:Use a lawn mower or chipper-shredder to shred the leaves, then place them in large garbage bags.

2. Moisten the leaves:Dampen the shredded leaves without soaking them.

3. Seal the bags:Tightly seal the bags and cut a few slits for airflow.

4. Aerating the mold:Every few weeks, shake the bags to turn the contents.

5. Manage moisture:Add water as needed, usually every four to eight weeks.

6. Ready for use:The leaf mold is ready when the leaves have turned into a brown or black crumbly material, which typically takes about six months.

How Long Does It Take to Compost Leaves?

The time it takes for leaves to turn into compost can vary. It can range from a couple of months to a year, depending on factors like the composting method, materials used, and the frequency of turning the pile. For those who prefer a faster way to dispose of leaves, running a lawn mower over them and allowing the grass to absorb their nutrients can be an effective alternative.

How to Compost Leaves Quickly

If you're looking to expedite the composting process, consider the following tips:

• Turn the pile more frequently: Regular turning promotes aeration and decomposition.
• Moisten the pile during turning: Adding water during turning helps maintain the right moisture level.
• Add supplemental nitrogen: Incorporate high-nitrogen sources like blood meal or manure to speed up decomposition.

Benefits of Composting Leaves

Composting leaves offers numerous advantages. Firstly, it reduces the amount of yard waste sent to landfills, promoting environmental sustainability. Secondly, it yields nutrient-rich soil, enhancing the health of your garden and plants. Lastly, it allows for waste reduction at home by accommodating food scraps in your compost pile. However, it's essential to avoid adding dairy products, bread, or meat to your compost pile.

Composting leaves is a simple and eco-friendly way to manage yard waste while reaping the rewards of nutrient-rich compost for your garden. Whether you choose to create leaf compost or leaf mulch, the benefits of recycling leaves are sure to have a positive impact on both your garden and the environment. With a little patience, some turning, and the right balance of materials, you'll soon be able to transform your seasonal yard debris into garden gold. So, this fall, don't dispose of your leaves; compost them and watch your garden thrive in return!

Chelsea Hafer, True Leaf Market Writer

Chelsea is a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture and loves getting her hands dirty and watching things grow! She graduated from Georgetown University in 2022 with a degree in Environmental Justice and now resides in Park City, Utah, where she works as a ski instructor. Her love for nature extends to gardening and hiking, and she has gained valuable insights from working on farms in Italy, Hawaii, and Mexico, learning various sustainable agriculture techniques like permaculture and Korean Natural Farming.