When deliberate what to do with all the leaves that wind up in your railyard , why not take advantage of the benefits leafage compost has to offer ? Not only can you compost through winter , but you could use the leafcompost to prep your gardensthe next season and give the soil some extra nutrients . well yet , it ’s a cost - effective , organic elbow room to care for your plant life .
What is leaf composting?
foliage compost refers to the appendage of turning fallen leaves into a alimentary - plenteous material for your garden . If you are n’t familiar with any variety of composting , it may take a bit of trial - and - error to get the knack of it , since you ’ll take to ensure your compost lot or bin has a safe balance of carbon , N , and moisture .
The leaf composting process
Leaf composting does n’t have to be complex . A basic composting bin is 3×3 foot , which will give you enough way to turn the compost as it disintegrate to promote air travel circulation and stir around wet . The sizing of the compost bin will avail ensure the foliage compost maintains a 60 ° F. temperature , even in the wintertime ( so long as it ’s in a stain that receives full sun ) . Remember that your compost — folio or otherwise — should never be soggy ; too much moisture will hinder your composting cognitive process .
For leaf composting in a bin or pile , startle with a 6 to 8 - inch stratum of farewell , an inch of land , and an in of a nitrogen reservoir ( manure , lawn clippings , etc . ) . ensure to keep the pile moderately moist , turning / stirring the subject once every two workweek . It ’s important to sustain a carbon / nitrogen / moisture Libra the Scales in your compost to guarantee that the operation works smoothly .
If you do n’t want to use a bin or pile , you could also compost leaf like a shot on your garden grime by using them as top dressing . Whichever method you prefer , check that you utilize your lawn mower to chop up the leaves . low pieces will recrudesce down faster , well-fixed , and have less chance of rotting or causing some kind of cast .
Benefits to leaf composting
Not only is leaf composting good for the garden , it comes with a lot of lend benefit beyond being a cost - effective way to create your own topsoil . control out these advantages :
Because compost will often include soil organism ( worms , dirt ball , etc . ) , you ’ll notice water and air will have an easy time displace through the soil containing leaf compost . This is due to their burrowing activities , which avail to loose up the land .
It may take you a few years to get the hang of the process , but have leafage compost on hand to prep your garden can put up you with benefits you wo n’t needs get from chemical fertilizer . While soil organisms are promote in leaf compost , chemic fertilizer can alter the dirt so much that organisms do n’t find it a suitable environs .
All type of compost make nutrient more well accessible to the plants you ’re growing by usher in organic matter into the soil as it decomposes . So long as the composting process is done properly , your garden soil will experience most , if not all , of the above leafcomposting benefits .
