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Bemidji Minnesota

Hi all, over at my Dad's place, only about 1 mile from where I live, my father has a lot of oak trees.

He does not have a dog, however when he bought his house, 10 years ago, there was a decent sized Kennel, and he had not other use for it, other than a place to store his oak leaves, and toss all his other organic plant waste into.

So he has been doing this for 10 years now, and about 80% of what it has gotten is oak leaves, and about 15% grass clippings, and 5% random veggie and fruit left overs.

I know that It is best to let Oak leaves age for a season before adding them, but I checked under the top layer, last time I was over at his place, and I think he must have about 2 tons worth of 10 year old, aged oak leaves in there.

Today he said I could have as much as I want of it.

Anyhow, working with a 500 square foot area, how much of it should I work in? Would it be usable this year, as a last minute additive ( not putting anything in the patch, plant wise until the 15th of May), or should I wait and just put it in this fall for next years?

Or is 10 year aged oak leaf compost non-pumpkin friendly?

4/25/2008 6:07:41 PM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

if it has degraded to usable compost I would still test it before adding a bunch. if you have your soil were you want it it isnt worth the gamble to me. The leaves will be there this fall to add and till in. I think Oak is very acidic, just be careful

good luck

4/25/2008 8:02:53 PM

Bemidji Minnesota

Alright, tested it shall be.

4/25/2008 8:21:47 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I'll wager it'll be good. Oak leaves contain a lot of lignin so they take longer to break down. But once decayed, Oak leaf compost is fine.

4/25/2008 9:27:50 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Ten year old oak leaves will be fine....Don't over do it add enough to bring your OM up a bit. It's like adding black powder if it's done completely. I don't mean the explosive I mean the texture. GrowEmBig! Chuck

4/27/2008 11:38:05 AM

Simi valley, ca

Iv asked a compost manufacture what he thought of oak leaves & he said they were one of the best composts , But very expensive! I go to many oak trees & fill trash cans & put it in patch & veg garden ,It seems very good , plus I have aprox 20 trees in yard !I started a sm pile over last winter & worms exploded in that pile !!

4/28/2008 5:03:36 PM

Somers, CT

Go for it.

4/28/2008 7:57:52 PM

southwest MO

Scpape the top off the pile and leave it for the bottom of the new pile. Put 1/2 of the black finished stuff on now and the other 1/2 in the fall. You will have some availible to make teas and such also. Rock on meathead...

4/29/2008 10:10:18 AM