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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2007 11:18:14 GMT
Hello everyone i was just wondering if anyone had made leaf compost and wished to help me out by telling me what to do. i can work out that i need leaves but that is as far as i have got in my thinking.  i know i could look it up on the internet but, it's nicer to get the info from friends. i hope there is someone out there who is making some who can help me . thanks Bek. xxxxx |
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Post by andy on Oct 25, 2007 12:16:41 GMT
Well that's it really....lots of leaves.
Leafmould doesn't really take that long to start breaking down and you could have some decent stuff as early as 6 months after collecting. The trouble is, you need a lot....and i mean a lot of leaves to get very little end product.
So get as many leaves as poss, put them in a big pile or a composting bin and leave the critters to break it down.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2007 13:04:54 GMT
wow that simple. i guess you wouldnt get much would you.unless you had a huge amount to begin with. i have a black plastic dustbin. would that be ok to put them in..  can i not do pure leaf compost.could i add other garden waste to it. i want to make compost but i live very close to my neighbours and have no where i can put it where the smell won't get them!!! i can just imagine my neighbour out having a sunbathe while im rooting around in my compost bin. she will not be amused!!!!!! |
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Post by Plocket on Oct 25, 2007 13:30:30 GMT
I think it was Monty who suggested mowing your leaves so that they are smaller and break down more quickly. All you need is leaves and a bin bag or plastic bin - the point of putting them in plastic is to retain moisture - you don't want them to dry out, but then again you don't want them to soak in water. Put some holes in the bottom of the bag or bin and you'll have perfect leaf mould in a year or so, depending on what leaves you put in. It really is that easy!
I wouldn't add anything else to it though - leaf mould is lovely on its own and breaks down in a different way to making compost.
And personally I would start composting RBJ - if you make it right it doesn't smell nasty at all, just very subtly of earth. The only thing I have to worry about is tiny fruit flies, but they don't go far and shouldn't bother your neighbour whether she's sunbathing or not.
Come on RBJ - join the composting brigade ;D
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Post by Chuckles on Oct 25, 2007 13:50:53 GMT
I mowed a big heap of leaves up yesterday ;D did a quick sweep round the patio area and then tilted the mower over it, you have to get the angle of the mower right or it blows everywhere. I have been known to mow the paths when I can't be bothered to sweep. Sometimes I put them on the lawn to and then mow The smaller it is the quicker it breaks down, like all compo stuff really. You need to make a couple of holes in the bag RBJ so you'd have to do the same in a bin. Like P said leaf mould is lovely on it's own, I do bags and I put it in the compo bin too. A bag can easily look full but if you squidge it down and get some of the air out it's amazing how it compresses down and then you can get more in, mine go behind or at the side of the shed and get a brick on the top to keep the top closed. Your main smell from a compo bin is with cabbage type stuff, it can pong but doesn't last long, and will be most noticable when you take the lid off. I pop a layer of cardboard or paper on the top to help supress the smell, it really doesnt last long and it's you that gets the bulk of it as your above the bin I apologised to my neighbour when she passed the bin but she said she really can't smell Plocket is right get composting and join the composting brigade ;D |
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Post by Weeterrier on Oct 25, 2007 14:05:07 GMT
Oh good, chat about leaves and leafmold ;D I collect from the side of the road even, my mouth waters at the sight of freshly fallen drifts of leaves. But beware, it is against the law to remove fallen leaves from under the canopy of woodland trees  Hopefully clearing pavements would be considered a public service?  Get down to it RBJ, composting is the new sex (Well, maybe only if you don't have a man  ) |
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Post by Chuckles on Oct 25, 2007 14:42:14 GMT
Oh good, chat about leaves and leafmold ;D I collect from the side of the road even, my mouth waters at the sight of freshly fallen drifts of leaves. But beware, it is against the law to remove fallen leaves from under the canopy of woodland trees Hopefully clearing pavements would be considered a public service? Get down to it RBJ, composting is the new sex (Well, maybe only if you don't have a man )  I agree but, whats having a man got to do with it Wee ;D |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2007 15:23:09 GMT
;D ;D ;D ;D
you are a frisky lot today.
i only asked about leaves and you have ended up talking bout men and sex!!!!!
i must avert my innocent eyes to these things you are saying!!!(she says peeking through her fingers to sneek a little read) ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Weeterrier on Oct 25, 2007 19:28:33 GMT
Oh good, chat about leaves and leafmold ;D I collect from the side of the road even, my mouth waters at the sight of freshly fallen drifts of leaves. But beware, it is against the law to remove fallen leaves from under the canopy of woodland trees Hopefully clearing pavements would be considered a public service? Get down to it RBJ, composting is the new sex (Well, maybe only if you don't have a man ) I agree but, whats having a man got to do with it Wee ;D Have you been to an Ann Summers party too Chuckles?  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 27, 2007 6:05:44 GMT
I make leaf mould every year as it is sooo easy. When I made my first batch years ago I filled up two huge bagfuls and forgot totally about them - found them a couple of years later buried under a plant at the back of a border and the compost was absolutely fantastic - made me want to keep holding it cos it was so perfect. So EVERYONE should do it!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2007 9:20:01 GMT
I tried this a few years ago and after a year the leaves hadn't rotted down at all!
What was I doing wrong? I put them in a bin bag, pronged it with a fork and shoved it round the side of the shed. It put me off doing it again, but I'd really love to as we've got a huge sycamore outside the house that is currently shedding its leaves all over the front garden!
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Post by Weeterrier on Oct 29, 2007 13:09:18 GMT
The leaves have to be wet Sairey. Were yours too dry perhaps? Collect them this year after rain, and I cannot think of any reason why they wouldn't work  |
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Post by Jardack on Oct 30, 2007 20:26:54 GMT
Do you have to put the leaves into something?
Mine are all in a huge pile behind the tree at the minute and am wondering if I need to put them in a bin bag - or if I can just put some wire around them (to stop them blowing away again!)
Should be good soil there next year as the compost bin is there too ;D
Jardack
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Post by Weeterrier on Oct 30, 2007 22:43:06 GMT
Jardack, I have always made mine in a chicken wire enclosure, so it will be quite alright |
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Post by Jardack on Oct 31, 2007 19:25:27 GMT
Cool, thanks I have a HUGE pile of pretty leaves under the tree at the minute (been busy today!) so I will get some wire tomorrow and make a little cage. Jardack |
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Post by Jardack on Nov 3, 2007 13:33:39 GMT
I've just made a little enclosure for my leaves and am feeling very proud of myself! They are all tucked up nicely now and waiting to rot down Have even taken a picture of it!! (I am so sad ;D ) Jardack |
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Post by Chuckles on Nov 3, 2007 16:52:48 GMT
I've just made a little enclosure for my leaves and am feeling very proud of myself! They are all tucked up nicely now and waiting to rot down Have even taken a picture of it!! (I am so sad ;D ) Jardack Your not sad at all Jardack, it's called being proud of what you have achieved and wanting to capture it. So you snap away, I do. If it's sad then I'm sad too ;D |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2007 17:06:32 GMT
Hello everyone i was just wondering if anyone had made leaf compost and wished to help me out by telling me what to do. i can work out that i need leaves but that is as far as i have got in my thinking. i know i could look it up on the internet but, it's nicer to get the info from friends. i hope there is someone out there who is making some who can help me . thanks Bek. xxxxx Hi i have made a lot of leaf compost in the past you really need to collect a lot of leaves from your local area or park but it is worth it. you can just compact as many wet leaves as possible into black bin liners punch a few holes in the side tie them up and leave them to rot, it can take two years to get good leaf mold. I prefer to make ordinary compost in a bin and add a few leaves over the course of a few months it rots down quicker that way. hope this helps |
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Post by Chuckles on Nov 3, 2007 17:36:50 GMT
By the looks of the garden today I've got almost another bag of leaves to pick up Did I mention before I sometimes (if I remember) put a few grass cuttings into a bag and then add it a little at a time to each bag of leaves, it helps break the leaves down. the bag of grass cuttings can get smelly though  |
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Post by Weeterrier on Nov 3, 2007 22:33:25 GMT
Bet it's not as smelly as soaking nettles or comfrey in water?  |
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Post by Jardack on Nov 4, 2007 8:17:34 GMT
Thanks Chuckles
Mr J thought I was mad yesterday getting all excited about it, till I told him he wouldnt need to make as many trips to the tip to get rid of the leaves...
My only problem now is stopping the girls throwing the rotten windfalls in there too!
Jardack
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Post by Weeterrier on Nov 4, 2007 9:21:03 GMT
Jardack, I salivate when I see leaves, so much so that my non-gardening daughter does it too now,and my 3 year old Grandson. Simple pleasures, something for nothing and the wonder of nature all wrapped up together. BTW, I find the leaves have rotted down by the time I need to use the enclosure next year. Bet you have a bigger one next year |
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 4, 2007 16:39:20 GMT
I picked up the leaves from under 1 apple tree (average), 1 cherry tree (large) and a sycamore (average) today - SEVEN black bags full! It's quite amazing how many leaves there are on even little trees.......I have about 15 more trees I could collect from.......sigh......
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Post by oldmoleskins on Nov 4, 2007 17:33:25 GMT
I've noticed a couple of barrowfulls of leaves have blown into one of the sheds - the one the pigeons used to roost in - so I plan to shovel them up with the accumulated guano and compost that lot over the winter in black bags before putting it in a trench for the beans next year... should have powerbeans...
Pigeons all gone now...
OM.
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Post by Chuckles on Nov 4, 2007 17:44:15 GMT
Loverly gubbly leaf mould ;D did another bag full today I've now got 2 100ltr compo bags nearly full from 2 large Limes and two med Rowans. Probably get another 2 full before I've done ;D I turn the compo bags inside out, they don't look so conspicuous at the side of the shed then |
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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 4, 2007 17:59:02 GMT
OH did an amazing thing today  He collected a load of leaves in the barrow and said, 'What shall I do with these?' They now reside in a black bin bag, duly punctured and I believe peed on! ;D Cant believe it! |
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Post by Weeterrier on Nov 4, 2007 18:07:45 GMT
Peed on as well? What a star he is ;D
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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 4, 2007 18:14:47 GMT
Peed on as well? What a star he is ;D I know Always thought he had it in him (gardening that is!) ;D |
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Post by Jardack on Nov 4, 2007 19:46:30 GMT
seems like there will be a lot of home made leaf compost around next year then!
I bet I have a bigger enclosure next year too WeeT, but there is plenty of space for it to grow, assuming I don't get another composter instead ;D
Jardack
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Post by Weeterrier on Nov 4, 2007 23:00:26 GMT
Oh, that will probably happen too. They are all addictive |
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)
He collected a load of leaves in the barrow and said,