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Follansbee, Wv

I’m sure to draw some fire for what I’m about to say, but I think this is a topic that needs to be discussed. For the first time in my gardening life I tilled un-composted leaves into my garden (in the pumpkin patch area only), and I am beginning to regret doing it. Actually, I regretted it as soon as I did it. Something in my gut told me not to, but I read so much about it here on BP, I assumed it must be the best way. Now, after doing some research, I am not so sure. At least I don’t believe it to be the best way for all growers.
I have done a lot of research lately concerning the decomposition of the forest floor. What I have discovered is that leaves decompose best under the tree they fell from. Why would that be? Consider this, the soil under the tree has been fed leaves from that tree for years. Therefore, the soil has built up a reserve of the organisms needed to break down the leaves of that particular type of tree. If you have ever walked through the forest in the summer time maybe you noticed something, a lack of leaves on the ground. Of course there are some, but nowhere near what you see in the late fall. This seems to indicate that the forest floor is more adept to decomposing leaves than the average garden soil.
In my situation, there are no trees around the patch, and haven’t been for years. The conclusion I am drawing here is that tilling un-decomposed leaves directly into the patch was a mistake. I believe that come planting time I will still have leaf material in the ground, locking up nitrogen. What I am considering for next fall is to bring in a few loads of forest floor soil from across the road, or more likely, not tilling leaves into the patch at all.
Why am I writing all this? Mostly to start a discussion about why people till un-composted leaves directly into the patch. What benefit does it provide that composting would not?

12/29/2004 7:34:51 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Earthworms will go to work on the leaves immediately. Especially after having tilled them under, the leaves will be exposed to elements not found on the surface of the forest floor.

What kind of leaves did you use?

12/29/2004 7:47:45 PM

Follansbee, Wv

I used Maple and Ash, which are both very similar in lignin content. My point is that leaves decompose quickly on the forest floor for a reason. If you scattered leaves across your patch in the fall, would they decompose as quickly as they do in the forest? (without shredding and tilling them in). Another point here is that earthworms do not actually eat the leaves themselves, but rather the decaying material. I know this is a fine line, but one that must be pointed out. Worms do not eat leaves, but rather, eat the decaying portions of the leaves. Still the question remains, what is the benefit of tilling un-composted leaves into the patch versus composting them first?

12/29/2004 8:45:31 PM

Deer Park WA

In the urban jungle 80% of the leaves blow away...
We have had great luck by building compost piles (wind rows actually) of compost and continually tending them over the winter, come spring they are completly broken down into very rich compost. We lightly till this compost into the top 4 to 6 inches of the patch about 6 weeks prior to planting. Of course our PB is half of the word record, but we have only been in the new farm for 2 seasons. Arrrgg come on spring!

12/30/2004 12:05:10 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Spread some blood meal evenly on the patch in March/April or so, and the leaves will compost just fine. I always have "undecomposed" leaves each Spring, some organic-based nitrogen will take care of it by planting time, and your N will be in good shape.

12/30/2004 6:45:40 AM

Deer Park, WI

In college we tested soil for microorganisms. 1 GRAM of soil contained well over 1 MILLION bacteria. Now, if you spread manure on your patch, you've significantly increased that number. Bacteria from manure is designed to break down Cellulose and lignins. Its what critters eat!

Science aside, I've tilled massive quantities of leaves in my patch. Sometimes the ground froze in the fall before i could till them in. SO they sat till spring, and when the ground thawed, I tilled them in then. Even in that worst case scenario, the leaves had decomposed by planting time.

Keep the big picture in mind when it comes to soil prep...boosting organic matter is probably #1

12/30/2004 9:07:41 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Monty, Forest floor and open sun lit areas are completely different...problem with open fields are they don't receive the natural drop of leaves, get pounded with sun rays and dry out completely. Compaction of the soil is inevitalble.bwllff

12/30/2004 9:09:46 AM