Looking for how to compost leaves quickly and easily? You’ve come to the right place!
Composting is an important part of gardening, and farming and composting leaves is a great way to reduce waste while providing valuable nutrients for plants. With the right composting method, you can make compost out of leaves quickly and easily.
According to Wane, there is a savings of 12,000 tons in landfills by composting the leaves collected during leaf pickup.
Leaves and other types of yard waste comprise up to 20 percent of waste placed in landfills, according to Henry Clay, Professor at the University of Georgia Extension.
Compost is a precious commodity in the gardening world, so much so that it has earned the nickname “Black Gold”. This moniker speaks to its immense value when it comes to growing healthy, bountiful plants.
With the power to improve soil structure, increase fertility, and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, compost is a must-have for any gardener looking to take their garden to the next level.
But composting leaves takes time, so if you want to compost quickly, you will need to know some tricks. In this article, we show you how to compost leaves quickly with some easy tips and techniques that will get the job done fast!
So let’s get into it.
Quick Guide On How to Compost Leaves Quickly In No Time
To compost leaves fast, you will need to shred them up and mix them with other composting materials such as kitchen scraps and grass clippings. In the below section, we will explain the steps you need to follow to compost leaves quickly.
Select the best leaves for composting
When composting leaves, the first step is to select the best leaves for composting. It’s important to use only fresh leaves that have not started to decay.
Avoid using leaves that have been sitting on the ground for a while, as they may contain too many contaminants.
Leaves are selected based on their nutrient content, so it’s important to choose the right ones for composting.
For example, oak leaves have a high potential nutritive value according to Kamalak et al, while maple leaves contain more nitrogen.
Shred the compostable leaves
If you want to compost leaves quickly, it helps to shred them first. This speeds up the composting process and helps the leaves break down more efficiently. You can use a leaf shredder or a composting grinder to shred the leaves into small pieces.
Alternatively, you can use a lawn mower set to its highest speed and mow over the leaves to create compostable compost. Be sure to collect the shredded compostable matter in a compost bin or compost pile so it won’t be blown away by the wind.
Tree Leaves To Avoid Composting
Walnut, sumac, and eucalyptus leaves should be avoided when composting leaves. These types of leaves contain toxins that can be harmful to plants, and also seedlings, so composting them can be damaging to your compost pile.
Speed Up Composting
To compost leaves quickly, you can add compost accelerators or compost starters to speed up the process. Compost accelerators are organic materials (usually composted manure) that help break down compostable matter quickly.
Compost starters contain beneficial bacteria and fungi that help composting leaves break down faster.
Both compost accelerators and compost starters can be purchased at most garden centers or online.
Aerate Compost Pile
For compost to break down quickly, it needs to be aerated. This means adding compostable matter that contains air pockets to the compost pile.
This can be done by turning and mixing compostable matter with a compost fork or shovel, or by adding straw, egg cartons, or shredded newspaper.
Moisten Compost Pile
Another way to compost leaves quickly is to ensure that the compost pile has enough moisture. Compost needs to have a certain level of moisture for decomposition to take place.
To moisten compost, simply add water to the compost pile and mix it in with a compost fork or shovel.
Harvest Compost
Once composting leaves have broken down, you can harvest the compost and use it as fertilizer in your garden or compost bin. The compost should be dark, crumbly, and smell composty. If compost is ready to be harvested, it’s time to get gardening!
Is it worth composting leaves in plastic bags?
Absolutely! composting leaves in plastic bags is an incredibly effective way to compost quickly. There are a few steps involved, but it won’t take long before you’re composting your leaves quickly and efficiently.
The first step is to chop up the leaves into small pieces, no larger than 2 inches by 2 inches. Doing this will help the compost break down more quickly, resulting in faster composting.
Once the leaves are chopped, you’ll need to find a compostable plastic bag. These bags are designed to break down quickly in composting scenarios, so they’re ideal for composting leaves.
Fill the compostable bag with your chopped leaves and add a bit of water to help speed up composting.
Next, mix the compostable bag contents thoroughly and make sure all the leaves are coated in compost. The compost will act as a catalyst, helping to speed up composting.
Finally, you’ll want to do something to aerate the compost. This can be done by poking holes in the compostable bag, or by adding compostable items like straw, parchment paper, and chicken bones to the compost. This will help keep air circulating within the compost, helping it break down quickly.
And that’s all there is to composting leaves quickly!
What should you compost leaves with?
It is important to compost your leaves with other compost materials such as grass clippings, wood chips, newspaper, and manure. This helps to add additional nitrogen, carbon, and other essential nutrients to the compost.
The combination of these compost materials will help speed up the composting process and create nutrient-rich compost.
Final Thoughts on How to Compost Leaves Quickly
Composting seems like a daunting task, but composting leaves quickly doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming.
With the tips and techniques outlined here, you can compost leaves quickly and easily to create compost that is rich in nutrients for your garden.
Good luck, and happy composting!
FAQs
Is Leaf Compost Good For Vegetable Gardens?
Yes, composting leaves quickly is great for vegetable gardens, as it adds valuable nutrients to the soil and helps retain moisture.
According to The Rodale Book of Composting“….the leaves of most trees contain twice the mineral content of manure.”
Composting leaves also helps reduce waste and refresh the soil with essential organic matter. According to Cornell University, composted leaves can contain up to four times the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus than compost made from other materials.
How long does take for leaves to compost?
Usually, composting leaves takes anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the size and type of leaves used. But for a best practice, composting leaves quickly can be done in as little as four weeks.
We have covered a few things you can do to speed up the composting process and compost leaves quickly.
How to use leave compost in a vegetable garden?
Leaf compost is great for improving soil quality in a vegetable garden. It is a great soil amendment, adding valuable organic matter to the soil.
It also helps to reduce soil compaction, increase water retention and nutrient storage, reduce soil erosion, and help to control weeds.