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Composting Leaves: Go Beyond Raking
from:Well, it is that time of year again. It is time to rake all the beautiful fall leaves that once brought you great joy as you gazed at their colors and now bring your headaches because they have all fallen on your lawn. What do you do with them all? Where did they all come from? You begin to wonder if that one tree in your yard could truly be the source of the millions of leaves. Composting leaves is a great answer to your leaf clean-up woes.
Before you invest in all those leaf bags, which are usually made of plastic (not good for the landfills or environment), why not consider leaf composting? After all, you have been wanting to improve your soil in the gardens. Composting leaves is easier then you think and it is relatively free. You have a few options:
• You can add the leaves to your household waste compost bin. Dry leaves make a great addition to any compost pile. The nitrogen in the leaves aids in breaking down the other compost ingredients.
• You can put the leaves around your bushes and shrubs to help protect them from the harsh winter that is only months away (if you live in that kind of climate).
• Sheet composting – Composting leaves does not come much easier then this. Take your newly raked leaves and spread a thick layer over your garden area. A six inch layer of leaf waste (mix some household compost waste with it) will decompose over the winter. Next spring you can work the finished compost back into your soil before you plant your new crops.
• Lasagna gardening – This does sound like a yummy new recipe for vegetable lasagna, but it is another for composting leaves. Pick an area in your yard, smother that grass (or weeds) with overlapping thick layers of cardboard or newspaper, wet that layer thoroughly with water, layer 2-3" of compost or composted manure (store bought or bagged is fine), a layer of household waste can be put down near the ground, then 4-5" layer of those newly raked leaves. This is where the lasagna name comes in; alternate the compost and leaves until you achieve a height of 24 inches. You will have the perfect soil to plant in the following spring.
• Plastic Bag Method – Instead of dumping those leaves in plastic bags and letting them fill up the landfill, use those plastic bags for composting leaves. Fill the plastic bag with leaves, add a shovel full of dirt, moisten your mix, poke holes in the bags, and shake every few months. You should have a usable mix, in the spring.
Composting leaves does not have to be as painful as raking all the leaves off of your lawn. Composting leaves can be a wonderful source of personal achievement; at least you get something in return for all of your efforts.
Trench Composting Specific links
Trench Composting News
Turning over a new leaf in the garden - Northampton Chronicle & Echo
 Northampton Chronicle & Echo | Turning over a new leaf in the garden Northampton Chronicle & Echo Select a spot that is in full-sun or partially shaded and prepare the soil by digging it over and mixing in well-rotted manure or compost. Sow seeds in shallow trenches that are 1.5 centimetres (cm) deep and 30 cm apart. Spread the seeds thinly along ... |
Tomato time: KC gardeners are expecting a great year - Kansas City Star
 Kansas City Star | Tomato time: KC gardeners are expecting a great year Kansas City Star Worley favors growing tomatoes in raised beds filled with compost or a mixture of compost (80 percent) and topsoil (20 percent), or compost mixed with perlite and vermiculite. The soil in raised beds warms up earlier in spring than soil in the ground, ... |
Growing asparagus a rewarding endeavor - Pittsburgh Post Gazette
 Pittsburgh Post Gazette | Growing asparagus a rewarding endeavor Pittsburgh Post Gazette Manure and/or compost may also be incorporated to improve heavy soil. Choose a variety of asparagus recommended for Pennsylvania, such as 'Jersey Knight,' 'Jersey Giant,' 'Jersey Supreme' or 'Purple Passion,' from a garden catalog or local nursery. |
Weird Mother's Day Gift Guide: Lip Plumpers, Divorce Rings, Cleavage Pillows ... - Huffington Post
Weird Mother's Day Gift Guide: Lip Plumpers, Divorce Rings, Cleavage Pillows ... Huffington Post A lot of mothers are trying to be green and one way to do that is by turning some garbage into compost with an in-house compost maker. Amazingly, the same mom who gets mad when you track dirt in the house will be thrilled to be able to make her own. |
It's Time to ... by Eva Monheim - Philadelphia Inquirer
It's Time to ... by Eva Monheim Philadelphia Inquirer Mix in some compost and place the bulbs and new bulblets in the hole. Partially cover with soil, place a small piece of chicken wire over all that, and fill with soil. The chicken wire will prevent squirrels from digging up your new plantings. |