Leaf Mould

[Emagggie]

Just had a look inside my black bags from a year ago, and the leaves still look the same :o I expected them to have rotted down or something. I now have 6 more bags from this winter and I'm wondering what to do with them. Please could someone advise me what I should have done to rot them down, or maybe they are 'the wrong kind of leaves'  ::)

[Emagggie]

[star]

Sycamore take a long time to rot down, and another type that I cant remember.

Pour some more water in and shake the bags. Are the aeration holes in the bottom or the side. I found if the holes are in the bottom the worms can get in they chew them up.  I usually put in a small spadeful of soil too.

[cambourne7]

mine has not rotted down yet either but can i use some under spuds when i plant them or do i need to let them rot?

[Lauren S]

I add a few worms to get them started, plus I water them on hot days.

[star]

mine has not rotted down yet either but can i use some under spuds when i plant them or do i need to let them rot?

I would let them rot first Cam, as compost or leaves decay they use nitrogen, which depletes the available nitrogen to plants. I think its that way round :-\

[Vortex]

If you want leaves to rot down then then need to be exposed to rain. I compost leaves to make leaf mold and have 2 bins made from pallets. Having filled a bin in the autumn, I cover the leaves with and old carpet and leave. I takes 1-2 years for them to decompose depending upon the type.
The carpet is there to keep the sun off and prevent them drying out.

[kenkew]

My method is as big a wire cage as I have room for. It's got loose mesh on top too which keeps them from blowing away. Air and water break them down pretty well. Black bags are fine if you have small amounts, but with leaf, lots and lots is the way to go. Leave for at least a year.

[redimp]

I use four builder's delivery sacks covered with that black plastic that has beig round holes in.  It lets enough rain in and they can breathe through the bags.

[elsie]

I read in a magazine recently about mixing grass mowings with the leaves to give leafmould within a year. As I've never made it either way, I can't advise further, but think I will give it a try  :)

[cambourne7]

mine has not rotted down yet either but can i use some under spuds when i plant them or do i need to let them rot?

I would let them rot first Cam, as compost or leaves decay they use nitrogen, which depletes the available nitrogen to plants. I think its that way round :-\

Thanks star :)

I have a large box of leaves approx 6ft high 6ft wide and made of chicken wire and its open to the elements i think as its such a large amount of leaves it going to take a while :(

note to self must be patient!

[Emagggie]

Right! I see where I went wrong, not enough moisture I think. Will rectify this immediately. Many thanks for your replies, each. ;D

[froglets]

We run the mower over them first and then put into black bags - gets it all going a bit quicker.  You could mow them now if they're not too wet, as long as yousave all the worms   :-[

[Emagggie]

I think I'd be a dead woman if I sprinkled BW's beautifully mown sward with the contents of the bags now...going to take them up to the plot and build a gage and chop them about with shears as I put them in. I could double my worms too ;D ;D

[froglets]

Sounds good for stress relief - rent it out to your friends with crappy jobs......., job doen in no time and a profit.