How to Compost Leaves in Garbage Bags

Compost leaves efficiently and neatly in garbage bags.

Composting doesn't have to mean constructing a huge heap of organic waste that must be turned and watered on a daily basis, especially for homeowners desiring to dispose of dead leaves. Put leaves in garbage bags to produce nutrient-rich compost without all the maintenance required with traditional composting methods. According to Texas A&M University Cooperative Extension, you can produce finished leaf compost in garbage bags within approximately six to eight weeks.

Things You'll Need

• Rake
• Leaf shredder/push mower
• Garden shovel
• Plain topsoil
• Cow or horse manure
• Garden hose
• Nail or garden shears

Instructions

1. Rake the dead leaves into a large heap in your backyard or other bare, flat area. If you're short on leaves and want to produce a lot of compost, check with your neighbors or friends to see if they would allow you to take their leaves. With a small investment of time and labor, you can typically collect a wide assortment of dead leaves at no cost; some people might even pay you to dispose of their leaves.

2. Feed the leaves through a leaf shredder. Exercise care to avoid getting your clothes, hair or fingers caught in the blades. If you don't have ready access to a leaf shredder, drive over the leaves with a push mower. Spread the leaves out into a 2-inch-thick layer and push the mower across to decrease overall composting time.

3. Scoop three to five shovelfuls of the shredded leaves into each black plastic garbage bag, topping the leaves off with a shovelful of plain topsoil and a shovelful of plain cow or horse manure. Repeat this process a second time to fill each bag approximately three-quarters full of the shredded leaf mixture.

4. Mist the leaf mixture in each garbage bag with a gentle spray of water from a garden hose, getting it about as damp as a wrung-out sponge. Poke 10 to 15 holes in the sides of each bag with a nail or garden shears to promote air circulation, as recommended by Texas A&M University Cooperative Extension.

5. Seal each garbage bag by tying it shut. Place the leaf-filled garbage bags in an out-of-the-way location, such as next to your garden shed or back porch, leaving them alone for up to two months to allow the leaves to compost completely. Open the bags every two weeks to check the moisture level, adding extra water, if necessary, to keep the leaves about as damp as a wrung-out sponge.

Tips & Warnings

• Shred the dead leaves while they're dry to ensure a faster, less messy shredding process.

• Avoid composting walnut leaves, especially if you plan to add the finished compost to your garden soil. According to the University of California Cooperative Extension, these leaves contain material that may inhibit the growth of other plants.

References

• Texas A&M University Cooperative Extension: Don’t Bag It Leaf Management Plan
• University of California Cooperative Extension: Shred Your Autumn Leaves Before Composting (pdf)