How to Make Compost from Shredded Leaves

Autumn leaves can make a rich soil amendment.

You can turn falling autumn leaves into compost to add to your garden soil. Shredded leaves make excellent and effective compost that can increase the water-holding capacity of your soil and absorb rainwater. Leaf compost can also serve as a replacement for peast moss in potting soil mixes, notes the Cornell University Cooperative Extension.

Things You'll Need

• Lawnmower
• Leaf shredder
• Compost bin
• Large plastic bag

Instructions

1. Shred the leaves with a lawnmower or a leaf shredder.

2. Pile them into compost bin or a large heavy plastic bag. Add to the bag a shovelful of dirt and two shovelfuls of manure or a half cup of a high nitrogen fertilizer. Add to the compost bin fresh grass clippings.

3. Add enough water to saturate the leaves. If you use a compost bin, cover it with a heavy tarp or heavy plastic in the winter and mix it in early spring. If you use a heavy plastic bag, turn it occasionally during the winter.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that shredded leaves will work best when used as a mulch.

• Adding a little fertilizer will help with the decomposing process

• If you use a heavy plastic bag remember to turn it occasionally during the winter.

• Avoid the use of Walnut, Camphor or Eucalyptus tree leaves

References

• Cornell University Cooperative Extension: A Simple Guide to Leaf Composting
• PlantTalk Colorado: Composting: Fall Leaves