As the summer days start to shorten and we find ourselves in the early days of August, it’s time to plan ahead for the autumn months. One task that often comes to mind is dealing with all those fallen leaves. But did you know that these leaves can be turned into what gardeners fondly call ‘Black Gold’? Yes, I’m talking about compost.
Composting is a fantastic way to recycle organic waste from your garden and kitchen while enriching your soil at the same time. It’s a win-win situation for both you and Mother Nature. So, let’s dive right into Composting 101!
Why Compost?
Before we get our hands dirty, let’s understand why composting is beneficial.
- Nutrient-rich soil: Compost is rich in nutrients that plants need for healthy growth.
- Improves soil structure: It enhances the ability of sandy soil to retain water and helps clay soil drain better.
- Recycling organic waste: It provides an environmentally friendly way to dispose of organic waste.
- Cost-effective: Making your own compost saves money on buying soil conditioners or fertilisers.
Collecting Your Leaves
First things first – collecting your leaves. As they begin to fall off the trees, instead of seeing them as a nuisance, view them as a valuable resource for your garden! Use a rake or leaf blower to gather them into piles then scoop them up into bags or bins ready for composting.
Remember, not all leaves are created equal when it comes to composting; avoid using leaves from walnut or eucalyptus trees as they contain substances which can inhibit plant growth.
Setting Up Your Compost Bin
Next step – setting up your compost bin or pile in an accessible but discreet part of your garden where it won’t be disturbed by pets or children. There are many types of compost bins available on the market such as plastic bins, wooden crates or even rotating tumblers – choose one based on your budget and space availability.
Your bin should have adequate ventilation and drainage; these are key factors for successful decomposition of organic matter into usable compost.
Creating Your Compost Pile
Now comes the fun part – creating your compost pile! The trick here is layering different types of materials in specific proportions:
- Browns (Carbon-rich materials): These include fallen leaves, straw, paper etc., which provide carbon needed for microbial activity.
- Greens (Nitrogen-rich materials): These include grass clippings, vegetable scraps etc., which provide nitrogen needed for microbial growth.
- Water: Ensure that your pile remains moist but not soggy – think damp sponge!
A good rule of thumb is maintaining a ratio by volume of about 3:1 browns-to-greens.
Turning Your Pile
Turning or aerating your pile every few weeks speeds up decomposition by introducing oxygen – a vital ingredient in this process! Use a pitchfork or shovel for this purpose; just be careful not to overdo it as too much oxygen can dry out the pile and slow down decomposition process.
Harvesting Your Black Gold
Patience pays off here! Depending on weather conditions and materials used, it may take anywhere between two months to a year before you can harvest your black gold!
The finished product should look like dark crumbly soil with an earthy smell – this indicates that it’s ready to use around plants or as mulch in flower beds.
So there you have it – my guide on turning autumn leaves into black gold! Remember that each compost pile behaves differently depending on what goes into it so don’t worry if yours doesn’t behave exactly as described above – keep experimenting until you find what works best for you!
Here at Formby Gardener, we offer comprehensive gardening services including helping set up and maintain compost bins/piles so feel free to reach out if you need assistance with this green endeavour!