Composting Leaves

Turning fall leaves into compost is an excellent way to recycle organic matter and create a nutrient – rich soil amendment. As deciduous trees drop their foliage, you can easily incorporate them into your compost system.The key is to shred the leaves before adding them, as whole leaves can mat together, slow decomposition, and exclude necessary air and moisture. Mix the shredded leaves (a “brown” carbon source) with “green” nitrogen materials like grass clippings or kitchen scraps to achieve an optimal balance. Ensure the pile remains consistently moist (like a wrung-out sponge) and turn it occasionally to aerate and speed up the microbial process, resulting in dark, crumbly compost ready for garden use by spring. Cheers