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Location

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Williamsburg,KY

The other day I was lucky to get some very very large bags of shredded leaves. Since the weather here is cold and patch is wet, would it be best to wait till spring and till them into the patch, or should I try to compost them during the winter, then add to the patch? Any advise would be welcomed. Croley

1/9/2009 9:20:21 AM

You could spread them on the patch now,,,not thicker than 2-3" and hit them with a molasses drench. With your sometimes warm days of winter they will start breaking down and will be ready to till in as soon as you get a chance in spring. The worms will loveum and being shredded makes it even better.

If you decide to wait,,,get them in a pile and once again, hit them with some molasses, the carbs will feed the microbs and fungi.

1/9/2009 10:26:05 AM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

I would try to compost them now. If you put them in the patch right now they will simply sit there until the weather warms. I made that mistake in October 2007 and the leaves still aren't fully broken down. If your patch is in decent shape I wouldn't bother.

1/9/2009 10:26:53 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Compost em now, Hit em with water, molasses, and a BS.
till in march.
thats my thinking

1/9/2009 11:36:23 AM

Minnesota

I tilled in last year, first I ran them over with a lawn mower, it sped up the process.

1/9/2009 1:06:12 PM

Corbin, KY

I added a bunch to my patch last week. Put them in small piles then ran a mower over them. They will melt away into the soil faster than you think. Chop them up it will work faster. Looks like the ground will be freezings here next week. If you can stand the cold it would be a good time to mow them in the patch.

Tim

1/9/2009 2:45:42 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

I water my patch in the winter here in colorado, to give the soil some moisture from the dry winter winds.

I have a leaf vacum that mulches 12-1 so what comes out of the bag is tiny stuff.

1/9/2009 3:10:02 PM

Take matches away from hubby so he won't burn them lol

1/9/2009 4:33:44 PM

Gold Hill, Oregon

are oak leaves good for a garden? i was told that they are not? i don't know.

1/10/2009 5:24:59 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Thanks for everyones reply. Most of the leaves are shredded and I will put them on the garden and give them some molassas, the others will go into my compost tumbler with some fish meal and molassas and turned daily. My garden hasnt been dry enough to walk in for a some time, but if it does freeze then I can doit then. Thanks again guys, oh yea, Otter youre funny today! Croley

1/10/2009 6:44:45 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Captain Cold Weather, what is a BS??

1/10/2009 3:53:16 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

I think it's code for manure lol

1/10/2009 5:02:25 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

BS=bull crap meaning manure or a group of men talking

1/10/2009 6:20:44 PM

Seattle, WA

I'd hit them with some compost tea if you have it. Extra microbes to speed the decomposition process would only be a bonus!

~Tad

1/12/2009 2:17:09 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Thanks Tad, will do.

1/12/2009 2:47:44 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

CB, BS...guessing is Bio-Stimulant?? not sure, just guessin!! and if I am correct, would molasses, be a BS? C'mon Capt. help us out here!! LOL Peace, Wayne

1/12/2009 4:06:15 PM