For rapid decomposition, your compost pile should have a carbon to nitrogen ratio of about 20:1. Learn how to compost leaves quickly to make a nutrient-rich leaf compost that will benefit your garden. If you add too much brown, the pile will decompose very slowly. Leaves will decompose faster when nitrate-rich material is added to them. Specifically formulated to speed up the natural decomposition process for fast, complete composting. We now find ourselves wondering how the decomposition of particular leaves act as fuel to our ecosystem. Up to ¾" deep of shredded leaves can be applied to your lawn. Anyway, I mostly put all my grass clippings (primary offended of volume of material) as well as leaves and other material. Mixing or turning the compost pile also helps the leaves and other materials break down faster. To promote decomposition, mix leaves with grass clippings or other materials high in nitrogen. Leaves that are shredded also take up much less space. Hot composting is a great way to speed up the composting process. Select a level area of dirt, away from buildings,and place the garden debris directly on the dirt. You will need to occasionally turn the compost materials to speed up the decomposition. When it comes to composting leaves, nothing will help speed up the decomposition process like a little chicken manure. Then cover with leaves and compost and wait. Most notably walnut, eucalyptus and horse chestnut trees. Learn how to compost leaves quickly to make a nutrient-rich leaf compost that will benefit your garden. For rapid decomposition, your compost pile should have a carbon to nitrogen ratio of about 20:1. First of all I just want the leaves to be gone so that I get everything cleaned up. Don't place the pile under a tree, or in an area where your pets have easy access. As soon as spring temps warm, continue turning on a bi-weekly basis. How to Compost Leaves Quickly. Avoid saturating the ground with nitrogen fertilizer, as … The primary decomposers of most dead plant material are fungi. When it comes to making great compost from leaves, it all starts with selecting the best varieties for composting. Perfect timing - mix in the fall leaves with clippings, roughly 50-50, until you run out of leaves. Homemade Pumpkin Donuts – Baked To Perfection. And to do that, it all starts with shredding! This contains micro-organisms which will reduce yard waste into rich hummus in 60-90 days. But there is one more key ingredient to add as well that can really speed things up – and that is fresh compost. Let’s face it, when it comes to building great soil and powering plants, compost is at the head of the class. Greens include fresh vegetable scraps, eggs shells, coffee grounds, fresh green grass clippings, and the best of all – manure! Since it is the end of the growing season, we also sometimes throw in the soil/plant mix from a few of our hanging basket and container plants. And many of them really do a pretty good job at shredding. The slow rate of decomposition gradually releases plant nutrients bound up in the leaves back into the environment to be re-used by plants. So, let’s dive into ways to speed up this process. Oxygen and moisture are essential for leaf decomposition. Trees are an effective mineral extractor, putting down deep and intricate root systems that funnel calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus from the soil into their trunks and out to its leaves. You will be amazed that by early June, you will be left with a pile of compost that is ready to go, and full of nutrients. Check the bin every week or so to add more food or leaves for the worms. It is organic too! Every Autumn/fall Read More Aerate the soil. Chipped bark and wood come with a slow rate of natural decomposition which, based on size, can take several months. Worm composting, also known as vermicomposting, is another way to break down leaves more quickly than leaving them in the yard. Simply put, whole leaves will take forever to break down. Fungi and bacteria use it to break wood down to it’s composite ingredients. It doesn’t mean you can’t use oak leaves in your pile, but keep it to less than 20% of the make-up to avoid issues. Angela Ryczkowski is a professional writer who has served as a greenhouse manager and certified wildland firefighter. From then on until spring, the only ingredient we will add to the lead pile is our morning coffee grounds. Anaerobic decomposition makes the leaf mold highly acidic and capable of injuring plants it is used around. With proper additives and frequent mixing, leaves quickly become compost. Oak leaves contain a high amount of nitrogen and other nutrients important to the development of new plants, making them one of the most important pieces of the compost puzzle you can have. When it comes to composting leaves, nothing will help speed up the decomposition process like a little chicken manure. If you don’t have a shredder, you can simply mow the leaves to collect them. The right balance of carbon and nitrogen in your compost pile will make decomposition go faster. When the leaves are no longer recognizable and the pile has a uniform, dark, crumbly appearance and earthy smell, it is composted enough to use as leaf mold. As is manure (chickens, rabbit, horse, cow), coffee grounds and food scraps too. This enables aerobic, or ‘with air’, composting to … The plastic will prevent the heat from the composting reactions and should speed up your process. Also help speed up the composting process oxygen and speed up the pile as well shredding keeps leaves! 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