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Des Moines, Iowa

It seems to be standard in the pumpkin world to use leaves as a soil amendment. My question is would it be better to always be using leaves that are a year old if it was a possibility. I wouldnt be actively composting them i would just put them in a pile and wait until next fall and till them into the Patch. Then start a new pile with the current years leaves.

Thanks chad

11/26/2011 8:57:30 AM

Ontario

Chad thats the idea,it takes a long time for leaves to break down,if you can shread first it helps a lot.You could go over them with a mower ,or maybe rent a shreader.The finished product is referd to as leaf-mold.hope this helps. Terry

11/26/2011 9:38:39 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Maple leaves break down very quickly and can go on the patch right away. Oak leaves take a long time to break down. Other species are somewhere in between. Any leaves that are chopped up and tilled into the soil in the fall should be OK.

11/30/2011 12:37:01 PM

Adams County

Ok same subject diff ?, whats the harm in bagging leaves in the fall and tilling them in the soil in the spring, is the tannin that bad for the plants, it would help keep the soil loose and airy.

11/30/2011 8:31:14 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I ties up nitrogen in the spring. Composted prior to tilling is the best. Most Giant Pumpkin growers do what is called sheet composting. If you try composting just leaves your carbon to nitrogen ratio is to high. A good mix of greens and browns gets this evened out pretty good.

12/1/2011 1:03:10 PM

Adams County

thanks Linus, didnt mean to hijack jr gourd

12/1/2011 8:02:46 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

No Sheet? What can I use for the Green Layer? LOL (but serious) bill, I don't think yer post was a hijack at awl!!! just wanting to know how to do things better!!!! Peace, Wayne

12/1/2011 11:18:01 PM

Des Moines, Iowa

We all want to get better. Is a mix of grass and leaves sufficient?

12/2/2011 5:45:49 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Bill, along with what Linus said, I believe it is the same concept as manure that isn't composted all the way... ties up the nitrogen and by the time it gets broken down by mid summer you missed the window of when the plant needed to really spread out.

Chad, I started a pile last winter when we moved into the new house (10' x 5' x 10' approximately of various leaves) and by this fall it was only a few full wheel barrows of compost. Point being, keep as much as you can.

Luke

12/2/2011 7:30:35 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

So Amelio you are saying leafmold is bad....Again I disagree with you advice

12/2/2011 8:29:54 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

You keep refering to silage...silage is a fermented animal feed that is made of alfalfa, or corn.

12/2/2011 9:32:13 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Compost...look it up

12/2/2011 9:35:43 PM

Adams County

thanks Luke

12/3/2011 6:29:18 PM

Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

My cows eat silage and turn it into milk, then I MAKE CHEESE WITH THAT MILK.

12/3/2011 7:14:17 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I like Cheese!!! Peace, Wayne LOL

12/3/2011 11:19:01 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Blue Cheese????!!!! BSD,David

12/4/2011 9:32:23 AM

Des Moines, Iowa

My garden grows on silver bells and cockle shells and pretty maids all in a row

12/4/2011 9:51:53 AM