Eleanor Burkett, University of Minnesota Extension Service, Brainerd Regional Center, (888) 241-0720

Fall leaves are valuable to gardeners. Composted leaves keep soil in prime condition for most gardening projects. Follow these tips to optimize leaf composting:

• Use large compost bins, 5 to 6 feet across. This size allows for rapid internal heating of the compost pile, which drives the decomposing process. Smaller bins will be slow to heat and will not be able to maintain processing temperatures through the cold Minnesota winter. Bins larger than 6 feet across may restrict oxygen flow into the leaf pile, slowing decomposition.
• Mix some nitrogen into the leaves as you pile them. Leaves are rich in carbon (which makes for great compost) but are comparatively low in nitrogen (needed to feed decomposing bacteria). Nitrogen could be added as a nitrogen fertilizer or fresh green organic matter. For example, for every four bushels of leaves, add 1-2 cups of lawn fertilizer without any weed killers (such as 34-0-0 or 21-0-0). Or add 1 part leaves with 2 parts fresh grass clippings or similar green garden debris.
• Moisten the leaves as they are piled. Rains will be slow to wet through a leaf pile, and moisture is essential for decomposition.
• Do not turn compost piles in the fall. This allows heat to escape and heat drives decomposition through the winter. Turn compost piles in the spring.
• Leaves can be easily picked up with lawn mowers. However, shredded leaves may over-pack in the compost bin, restricting the oxygen flow needed for decomposition.

With attention to these guidelines, a gardener can produce fall leaf compost ready to use by the following late spring. On its own, a pile of leaves may take 2 to 3 years to decompose. For more information, contact your local Extension office and request the publication, Options for Disposing of Leaves.

For information on making a composting bin, call Info U at (800) 525-8636 and enter code #277, or visit the University of Minnesota Extension Service Web site and type “compost bin” into the search box.

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