Too Many Leaves?: Try These Composting Tips
Raking leaves and garden cleanup, a sign that the growing season has come to an end and winter is fast approaching. It’s time to get your yard in shape for next spring. But what to do with all those leaves and decaying plant matter?
Leaves and Grass Clippings
Leaves are rich in carbon and make excellent compost. Stuff some in your compost bin or if you have a large amount of leaves put them in a pile somewhere on your property away from your house. Use them now or in the spring as a cheap and effective mulch and weed barrier. Add nitrogen-rich grass clippings for an even more effective mulch.
Dead Plants
The withered remains of your garden are an excellent source of compost. Rake them up and add them to your compost pile or till them into the soil for next year’s fertilizer. Remove moldy or diseased plants.
Instant Mulch
This method involves using a lawnmower to go over your leaves several times. The resulting mulch will settle into the grass and provide a healthy fertilizer for your yard. Make sure to rake the pulverized leaves evenly as large clumps can suffocate the grass. You can also collect the mulch and use it as a natural weed barrier or mulch for your flower beds.
Things You Should Not Compost
It can be quite enjoyable to toss things into your compost pile and know you are doing something good for your yard and the environment but don’t get carried away. There are some items you don’t want in your compost.
- Pet feces
- Dairy products
- Meat or fats
- Any plants that were treated with pesticide or herbicide
Speed It Up A Little!
If you aren’t the squeamish type, you can add earthworms to your compost to speed up the decomposition process. The worms will tunnel through the mulch allowing air and moisture to penetrate deeper resulting in a richer, fluffier mulch.
Yard cleanup can be a lot of work depending on your yard. If you are not sure what you want to do with your leaves or just want to get rid of them, contact Four Seasons Landscaping and get in touch with an experienced landscaper. Call The Professionals at (502) 265-6754.
