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FF IN MICH 10-31-2009 14:20:56 64.12.116.73 735831 Report to Moderator	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 [Reply]   [No Email]
Trent M 11-04-2009 10:32:35 71.244.241.18 736436 Report to Moderator	Re: O/T leafs in the garden in reply to Theman, 10-31-2009 14:20:56   Good point about pH levels. Oak leaves are acidic and more lime than usual might be needed if you have lots of oaks.   [Reply]   [No Email]
61-4010 11-01-2009 04:40:05 74.171.25.210 735921 Report to Moderator	Re: O/T leafs in the garden in reply to FF IN MICH, 10-31-2009 14:20:56   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.   [Reply]   [No Email]
Wardner 10-31-2009 16:35:33 4.154.244.4 735845 Report to Moderator	Re: O/T leafs in the garden in reply to FF IN MICH, 10-31-2009 14:20:56   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.   [Reply]   [Send Email]
Dellbertt 10-31-2009 15:16:44 209.172.21.243 735836 Report to Moderator	Re: O/T leafs in the garden in reply to FF IN MICH, 10-31-2009 14:20:56   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   [Reply]   [No Email]
ScottyHOMEy 10-31-2009 15:05:49 71.241.193.92 735835 Report to Moderator	Re: O/T leafs in the garden in reply to FF IN MICH, 10-31-2009 14:20:56   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.   [Reply]   [No Email]
jwal10 10-31-2009 18:58:52 71.222.15.119 735889 Report to Moderator	Re: O/T leafs in the garden in reply to ScottyHOMEy, 10-31-2009 15:05:49   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   [Reply]   [No Email]