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Tips for composting leavesBy Tara McKnight Texas Cooperative Extension, Wichita County, horticulture Texas Earth Kind article series #24--Composting leaves continued: Mixing other organic wastes with leaves is an important step in optimizing the decomposition process. High nitrogen materials, such as grass clippings or other plant wastes, animal manures, food scraps etc., can speed up the decomposition process and increase the nitrogen content of the end product, making it more suitable for use as a soil amendment. The high nitrogen component must be carefully controlled because the addition of too much nitrogen can result in the formation of ammonia, creating an odor problem. The rapid decomposition also uses up oxygen, causing further problems as the aerobic microorganisms are replaced by anaerobic microorganisms. Most all organic materials will decompose, but not all of these materials should be used in a compost pile. Some organic wastes attract rodents, dogs and cats, while weeds and pathogen-infected materials may survive the composting process. Cat and dog fecal materials, as well as cat litter should not be used in the pile due to potentially harmful health issues. Grass clippings are high in nitrogen and can be added to the leaf pile. However, high moisture and high nitrogen content in the grass clippings require that they be mixed into the pile with other materials in order to reduce the anaerobic conditions that can occur from grass being "clumped together" in the pile. A mix of 2 to 3:1 (leaves: grass clippings) is generally considered optimum for decomposition in the compost pile. However, as the materials decompose, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain the desired leaves: grass ratio. After leaves are collected in the fall and wind-rowed, they undergo a substantial reduction in volume due to the burst of microbial activity that occurs within the first month of composting. By the time grass clippings are being collected the following spring and summer, the leaves may be reduced in volume by as much as 50 percent. If leaf/grass clipping mixes are to be composted, leaves collected in the fall should be stockpiled without turning until grass collection begins in spring. At that time, form a pile with the appropriate mix of stockpiled leaves and grass clippings. The leaf piles will likely be anaerobic and some short term odors may be generated when the piles are disturbed. Leaves typically allow more oxygen into the pile to help maintain aerobic conditions. Grass clippings, because they are high in nitrogen and moisture, provide needed nitrogen to speed decomposition and restore vigorous composting activity to the pile. Again, experimenting with mixes is the best way to find the mix that works for a specific location. Leaves/grass/pruning mixture It would be an ideal situation if all of the yard trimmings produced could simply be mixed together and composted. However, since woody materials, such as prunings, decompose so slowly this may not be advisable. Woody materials in the compost pile can also cause problems with the turning. Another alternative in certain situations is to grind the woody wastes to mix with the grass and leaves. Woody materials should make up no more than one-third of the pile. Remaining ground woody materials should be kept separate to be used as a mulch, while the leaf/grass mix is used as a compost. Animal manures Other solid organic wastes, such as livestock manures, can be added to leaf compost piles as a nitrogen source. This will speed up the composting process, but must be carefully monitored to maintain aerobic conditions and prevent odors. The addition of livestock manures to the piles will also increase the nitrogen content of the finished product. Composting is an important Earth Kind practice that can help extend the life of urban landfills throughout Texas. Your garden and landscape questions are always welcome. You may either contact me at our county Extension office, 940-716-8610, or by e-mail, tcmcknight@ag.tamu.edu. You are always encouraged to visit the Wichita County Master Gardner website at www.overthegardengate.org. Another great website to visit for very useful garden hints and answers is http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/. This article, along with every article, will also be featured on www.joetomwhite.com 24 hours a day under county agents.
Date: 8/8/08 Advertisement
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