Garden Leaves - The Leftover Plants

Leftover plants of garden vegetables are a decayed organic matter and one of the best materials a gardener can use to improve the soil and promote good plant growth. Along with the vegetable plants, add to the compost heap grass clippings, weeds, leaves and even garbage that is free of grease or fat. Compost can simply be made in a heap, but it will require less space if confined to an open bin. Ordinary wire fence attached to posts makes a satisfactory bin. Boards, bricks, or concrete blocks may also be used, but spaces should be left between the blocks for ventilation.

Build the bin from 3 to 5 feet high, 3 to 5 feet wide, and any convenient length. To start the compost, place a six to eight-inch layer of plant material in the bin. Moisten the materials, and sprinkle a cupful of garden fertilizer to each 25 square feet. If possible, cover each layer with about V4 inch of soil. A cupful of ground limestone may also be added to each layer of 25 square feet. Where available, about two inches of fresh animal or poultry manure can be substituted for the fertilizer.

Repeat the layers of plant material, fertilizer and soil until the bin is filled. A few days after starting the pile, you will notice heat buildup, and the heap will start to shrink. Be sure to keep the heap moist, but not excessively wet. Keep the top of the heap flat, or slightly depressed. During periods of heavy rain a plastic cover will prevent excessive leaching. Turn the heap about every two months during warm weather.

It may take from 4 to 12 months for the heap to decompose. Time to completion depends on materials used, and the weather conditions. If the pile produces an undesirable odor, a cap of one to two inches of soil will eliminate it. The compost may be used when the materials have become uniformly brown and crumbly. By shredding the plant materials and turning more frequently, the decomposition may be speeded up during warm weather.

Where space is limited, and a compost bin cannot be built, use plastic garbage bags for making a little compost. Place the plant material in the bag, adding fertilizer as the bag is filled. Add a few spades of soil each time a layer is made as in the garden compost pile. The plant material will soon decompose in the bag, and can be returned to the garden. If the garden is too large for the compost available, the soil can be improved by using a green manure crop.

Plant part of the garden with rye, wheat, barley, or winter vetch in September or early October. In spring, plow under the green manure crop and use the space for planting summer vegetables. Always wait 3 weeks before planting after the crop has been turned under. Do not use green manure where you plan to plant early vegetables next year. By rotating areas of green manure, the soil can be improved easily throughout the large garden.

Accessible Gardening: Tips & Techniques, by Joan Woy.