How to Compost Leaves in Bags

Compost can help soften hard soils.

Bag composting is the most common way of making compost; it's also the easiest way. Compost is a great way to add special nutrients to your soils and make your plants healthier. Composting has been dated as far back as the ancient Greeks and Romans. Making your own compost is a great way to clean up your yard and turn all those leaves into something useful for your garden. Composting leaves usually takes about six to eight weeks, but the waiting will be much appreciated by your plants and flowers.

Things You'll Need

• Shredded Leaves
• Heavy, duty plastic trash bags
• Shovel
• Garden soil
• Manure or high nitrogen fertilizer
• Water

Instructions

1. Put the shredded leaves into a heavy duty plastic trash bag. Fill the bag about half full of leaves to allow room for the other materials to go in the compost.

2. Add one to two shovels full of garden soil. Add one to two shovels full of manure and 1/2 cup of high nitrogen fertilizer.

3. Put water in the bag. The water needs to be enough to cover the leaves thoroughly. Then poke about 10 holes in the bag to allow air flow.

4. Sift the bag once or twice to get the ingredients mixed up well. Add more water if needed. Store the bags in an area that is protected from animals.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the bags in a couple weeks to make sure that it is composting well.

References

• Aggie Horticulture: Don't Bag It--Leaf Management Plan