Autumn Leaves

Autumn leaves provide a crop of compostable material that is available for only a short time each year. If your garden or allotment is near deciduous  trees do not let this bounty go to waste. The local council may be prepared to let you harvest leaves from your local recreation ground or park. It is estimated that over 50,000 tonnes of leaves are collected from parks each year

In general, as leaves take a longer time to breakdown,  in the UK, they are treated separately to make leafmould but in other countries they are recognised as an easily stored source of Browns that can be added to the compost bin.

Most autumn leaves are an excellent source of carbon but depending on species may be slower to compost than the rest of the material in the bin if using cold composting techniques  so they should be added with plenty of greens. Dry autumn  leaves have a  C/N ratio averaging about 60, but ranging from 20-100,   providing an excellent source of browns over the winter  to give balance to the  nitrogen rich kitchen waste that will continue to be produced throughout the winter months

Leaves  should be shredded, if possible, either using a shredder, or by mowing on the lawn, and mixed well when added to the compost bin otherwise they may matt and form a barrier to the circulation of air within the bin. If using a New Zealand bin, they can be added as a layer of browns  and mixed as part of the normal aeration by turning.

Making Leafmould

 Leaves have traditionally been contained in a wire netting cage or wooden compost bin when making leafmould. As with composting larger bins work best so try to make the container at least a  metre square. Simply fix the chicken wire to four posts with galvanised fencing staples. If there is a good supply of leaves opt for a three-bin system so that the leaves from  different years and stages of decomposition  can be kept apart. The bottom of the bin can be lined with weed suppressant or cardboard.

 Second-hand builders' bulk bags can also be used to make leafmould, they are permeable allowing excess moisture to drain away. Some people support the corners of the bag with stakes. The bag will be very heavy when filled so the bottom can be cut out so that it can be lifted off the leafmould when it is ready others regard the bag as disposable and cut the front open to harvest the leafmould. The lids will help retain moisture in dry weather and prevent the contents becoming waterlogged during wet periods.

  For best results the pile should be checked during hot or dry periods and watered if necessary, to  keep leaves damp.

Perhaps the most used method is to fill a large plastic bag with wet leaves, stab it with a garden fork and leave for two years.  Grass and urine can be used to speed the process. There are more details at http://www.carryoncomposting.com/142941489

Good leafmould  has an earthy, dark brown texture and the smell will remind you of a woodland floor in spring or early summer.

 Leafmould can be used as :

• A mulch, it is very effective at retaining moisture being able to hold up to 500 times its own weight, increased their water-holding capacity  of the soil by  almost 50 percent.
• A soil conditioner, reducing the soil density and making easier for roots to penetrate the and absorb nutrients, 
• A potting mix or seed compost and as
• A renewable peat substitute

It can be used after a  year, when the leaves are beginning to break down and the material is  easily crumbled, as a soil improver or  mulch around shrubs, in the flower or vegetable garden.  It can also be used as a lawn top dressing in the Autumn.

However, it is best  kept for two years  or more until it is  dark brown in colour,  crumbly  with no real trace of original leaves visible.