O/T leafs in the garden

ff in mich · Oct 31, 2009

Howdy, have a small garden, i get a tons of leaves i cut up in the fall and rototill in, do you see any advange of letting them sit all winter then putting them in the gardenin the spring. Thanks

ScottyHOMeY · Oct 31, 2009

Not in Michigan. Leaves are hard to get started composting, and keep cooking. Where they're already chopped up, I expect tillin' them in and leavin' it fluffy will allow the freezing action to do as much to break them up and add the organic matter to your garden as composting might in a warmer clime. By the time the ground is warm enough to plant in the spring, I expect they'll be decomposed more in the ground than in a pile of their own. That's been my experience here in Maine.

Dellbertt · Oct 31, 2009

I keep the lawn short through leaf season and hope for a good strong west wind to blow them into the east field. Havent had to rake leaves in 5 years. But with the rain we have had here in swmich the last couple days they are wet and the wind we go today couldnt get them all so I helped it along a little with the lawn mower.
What ever way you do it is better than not putting them on the garden at all. Weather permitting I would prefer to work them in a little now so they can cook all winter and spring.
Dell

Wardner · Oct 31, 2009

There are many landfills across the nation where 50 year old newspapers can be dug up and read. Burial is not a good way to decompose leaves. Composting above ground is the only way. Turning the piles weekly in any season, including winter, will convert leaves to compost in several months. Adding nitrogen will hasten the process. There has to be thousands of websites that will cover this topic more thoroughly. Google will show you the way.

jwal10 · Oct 31, 2009

I spread a 6" layer on my garden and raised beds. I like to run the mower over them with a bagger and add whatever grass I can mow off the lawn and the thatch also, I don't like oak leaves. I put down a layer of lime, alfalfa pellets and bone meal. Add the grass-leaves mixture on top of that. By spring it has rotted well, it keeps the soil loose and it dries out earlier. I just dig it all in with what ever compost I have along with more alfalfa pellets. Love it....James

61-4010 · Nov 1, 2009

I have LOTS of trees around and spend from October to January mowing and bagging leaves which are then spread in my large garden. Periodically, I take the bush hog thru the garden to further chop and spread the leaves.

Like others, I like the leaves in my garden as they provide a good compost especially in areas of my garden which have a high clay composition. I usually just keep an eye on PH levels....and applying lime as needed.

Trent M · Nov 4, 2009

Good point about pH levels. Oak leaves are acidic and more lime than usual might be needed if you have lots of oaks.

O/T leafs in the garden

ff in mich

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ScottyHOMeY

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Dellbertt

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Wardner

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61-4010

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Trent M

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