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Salem Or

I have around 30 yards or so of leaves that I am trying to compost before spring time. I am wondering if there is any tricks to composting leaves…. Should I add nitrogen or something to get it cooking?

Also what is your guy’s opinion on how much of the leaves I should add per planting area. If they are not very well composted should I add less? And more if they are?
Would adding partly composted leaves to the dirt tie up too much nitrogen?

I hope this isn’t too confusing
Thanks, Ben

12/7/2006 11:22:53 PM

Ben,,try to shread the leaves as fine as possible(mower or whatever ya got) get some alfafa meal(feed store) to add into the piles, spray with a molasses solution, and rotate the piles often, with your winter temps you should have a finished product by spring.
If it's not totally done when prepping the pits add some bone meal(low N and calcium) and a touch more of that alfalfa meal with a good molasses drench,, and I would say you're good to go. Worked for me last year,,,,of course you may have access to kelp meal cheap,,,might want to check that out as well for the spring app

12/8/2006 4:55:31 AM

Sheridan . NY

ben--take a look at the post i left steve on tea board--craig

12/8/2006 8:07:34 AM

Salem Or

Thanks Dan and Craig,
Dan, Ill deffinitely be doing what you suggested, heck if thats what you did last year,, it must work.

12/9/2006 2:13:24 PM