Compost those Leaves!
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:44 am by Terri DeBoer under Weather
A look around at the Fall foliage will tell you many trees still have not dropped their leaves. As the trees slowly shed their colors until the branches are bare, here’s an alternative idea to try if you’re tired of raking and bagging. How about using those leaves to create a compost pile in a corner of your yard?
Consider using just about everything organic in the pile, including a mixture of grass clippings, kitchen waste, and even coffee grounds. To get the best results, sprinkle your pile with water, and turn it every week or two using a pitchfork.
By the time you’re ready for Spring planting, your leaves will have been transformed into a backyard supply of nutrient-rich, organic mulch.
Best of all, it will be FREE!
I'm a Storm Team 8 Meteorologist. I'm on the morning shift, giving weather information during 24 Hour News 8 Daybreak every weekday morning.
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For the most part, I just run over the leaves with my mulching mower to help them decompose into my lawn. The exception is the oak leaves that blow in from the neighbors. Those I have to bag with my mower and put in the yard waste bin.
First thanks for the helpful ideas on composting.
I have always thought that a composting action needed heat. Do you actually have enough temperature in the winter to compost anything?
Some leaves are very acidic – what does that do to the soil in your garden or flowerbeds?
Ben
Maple leaves are the best for composting. As the leaves decompose, they give off heat through a fermentation action. It is much the same as the “spontaneous-combustion” fires that used to occur in haylofts.
We turned our jack o lanterns into bird feeders. We made sure they were open enough, put some seeds & apple peels in there. I’m sure some critter in the woods & the birds will enjoy picking at it.
Terri,
Question, how does wind start, where does it come from, what generates it. What determins a strong wind or soft wind, Very curious. Thanks.
Allen,
Wind starts because of a difference in pressure from one area to another. Sometimes this is due to uneven heating from the sun on land/water and the corresponding air above. The air at the lower pressure would draw the air in from the higher pressure and a wind would result. Much like the “wind” in a straw.
I’ve recently started a blog, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.