Expert: Greg - 11/21/2004

Question
For many years I have been blowing leaves (in the fall) into a wooded section of my property where they slowly compost. Are there methods of speeding up the process?  

Answer
Hello N.L.

Oh yes there is.

First of all. Leaves are mostly Carbon, you need a Nitrogen to make the Ratio as close to 25-1 as possible. Grass Clippings are an excellent counter to the High Carbon found in Leaves. This is not always practial, but if you could Chip the Leaves into smaller pieces, this would help greatly. Next put a Fine layer of regular garden soil into the mix. Keep this wet, but DO NOT drench the pile so it is Soaking wet. About the consistancy of a Damp Mop is Ideal.

Since you said that the end of the path for the Leaves is a wooded section of your property, could you in some way divert this into an area that gets some amount of Sunlight, even when the Trees are all Leafed out in the Summer? Heat and Sunlight will make this Decompose much quicker.

And lastly, if you could turn this over every now and then, oxygen will help.

I hope this helps, but if I have missed something here, don't hesitate to Follow Up with a more detatailed question.


The Best Of Luck

    Greg