Make Organic Compost from Autumn Leaves

Autumn leaves are to most people a problem that they have to address every year. Most people either drag them to the curb or lose them in the woods. However, for the homeowner or gardener, a leaf pile can become a free source of rich, organic compost. Recycling your leaves into organic compost is a relatively simple task.

Begin by locating a place in the yard that would be a good place for a compost heap. A compost heap consisting primarily of leaves and yard waste seldom is an odor problem, with the exception of grass clippings. The area for the compost heap should be in an out-of the way location or screened off from view from the recreational part of the yard. The area for the compost heap usually needs to be only five to ten feet wide and across. A leaf pile will rot the bark and kill any trees it is around, so make sure there are no trees in the area you select. Or you can lean a piece of wood against the tree to prevent the edge of the leaf pile from reaching the tree. Locate a second area for next year's compost heap, as it usually takes two years for leaves to rot.

Leaves usually take longer to rot than weeds and yard waste, so I like to start the new compost heap in the autumn. It also allows for the more rotted organic yard waste and waste soil from spring to be on top of the leaves, where it can be mixed in easier. Don't be afraid to stack the leaves high. The leaves will condense under the winter rain and snow. I like to use the same compost heap for summer waste and start a new compost heap the next autumn.

The compost heap should then be left to rot for another year. Earthworms enhance the composting process tremendously and love the habitat a leaf pile offers. To encourage earthworms, allow the leaf pile to remain moist. Should you find earthworms in the garden, you can relocate them to the compost heap.

Mixing soil, weeds, and such organic materials in with the leaves allows for better decomposition as it breaks up the layers of leaves. Adding lime to the organic matter is also known to help the organic matter decompose faster.

It is a good idea to put water on the compost heap during really dry summer months. While doing so, keep an eye for bees and be prepared to book it. Over the years, I think I have only had two bees' nests in my compost heap. In both cases, the bees did not decide to inhabit the compost heap until August. One of the bee's nests was in a compost heap I had been watering twice a week! Other than that, the only other problem I have ever had was this year when, for some unknown reason, I lost my earthworm community and discovered that the organic matter had not rotted well.

One little note about yard and garden waste, however, is to avoid composting diseased matter as this harbors and spreads the disease. Diseased organic matter should be disposed of either in the garbage or away from the garden.

There are several great ways to use the organic compost. The organic compost can be screened of wood and rocks using a sheet of chicken wire or a carrying case from spring annuals. The screened organic matter can then be sprinkled over the lawn as an organic fertilizer. The organic compost can also be spaded into the vegetable garden as fertilizer. There is no limit to the amount of well-rotted compost you can mix into the garden. Organic compost will lighten up heavy clay soils and enrichen sandy soils. Best of all, it is organic, free, and is good for the environment.