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Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

Should my leaf pile be covered with a tarp over the winter? What can I throw into the pile to get it to break down fast? All the leaves are shredded.

Thanks....Ray Leonzi

11/22/2008 11:14:02 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

We gave ourZ a Stihl misting of fish, seaweed and molasses and humic...Figured it should help with the break down....

11/22/2008 12:01:02 PM

Same here Ray. I do what the wIz and BiZ do to there compost pile. Hope this helps Ray.

Martin

11/22/2008 12:04:05 PM

Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

Do you put a tarp over for the winter? Thanks...Ray

11/22/2008 12:23:33 PM

Indiana

the tarp will keep the snow off and help insulate it a tiny bit. It will also keep air from getting to it.....

as long as you take the tarp off every few days and turn it, I think you will be ok with a tarp.

11/22/2008 2:56:55 PM

Portsmouth, RI

Ray,
I use grass clippings or if it's to late for them, fresh manure to get it cooking. 25 percent green(nitrogen) to 75 percent brown material-(Leaves). Keep it covered with a tarp when it gets cold, but your should turn it at least once a week until it freezes. Keep it moist but not soaked and mid winter I add some dried blood or Alfalfa pellets. Soon as it warms up take the tarp off and start turning it again. I take the tarp off with temps in the forties and it thaws.
Also I only use shredded maple leaves.

11/22/2008 6:21:27 PM

Bethlehem CT

Some Urea, would help speed things up. Kitchen scraps are good too. I don't usually tarp mine. Alot of the old organic gardening books reccomend a thin layer of soil to cover it. When mixed into the compost the soil gives the compost more substance.

11/22/2008 11:13:54 PM

[email protected]

All good advice Ray. I will add that a long compost thermometer will help to you keep an eye on compost performance. Keep it light enough to breath & turn it every few days - weeks as needed to keep temps up. If you do tarp it keep in mind the need for regular temperature checks. If temps drop off, add greens (N) & turn again. Greens & browns or add urea/blood/etc to fuel the decay of the browns. Fresh grass clippings are good. If you or a neighbor did a decent fall lawn fertilizer you might be able to secure some "greens"for the N. Adding old compost is the old school method of adding the right bacteria. "Compost starters" came from this technique. Molasses will also feed the bacterial fires.

11/22/2008 11:58:55 PM

Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

Thanks for all of the good advice. The problem is going to be turning it. I had a dump truck unload his whole leaf bin after pickup (all shredded), so turning it is going to be a nightmare. Anyone have a tractor I can borrow......lol

11/23/2008 9:06:08 AM

[email protected]

Thats what happened to us last year. A well intentioned ladnscaper brought us 30 yards. Before I saw him again, he brought 30 more. No way we could turn it properly even with machines. Time became the limiting factor....sigh.

11/23/2008 11:52:28 AM

Bethlehem CT

You could try to get Nitrogen into the pile by, dumping it on as a liquid. Either dissolve granular Urea in water or miracle grow or whatever. Then just let it cook, you'll get there, it may just take a little longer.(than with frequent turnings.) But the additional N will still speed up the whole process. You could do nothing and let nature take its course. They will be ready before you know it.

11/23/2008 3:55:38 PM

Ray setup some smaller more piles say 4 yards, add some manure the fresher the better and make sure the pile is moist. Cover with tarps if possible, turn these more manageble piles all winter (consider it an exercise routine) check temps as in all composting operations. If you need to heat it up add some alfalfa meal(I stay away from any added salts). By spring the piles should be done and ready to apply. Whatever you don't use, keep it covered until you need it (did anyone say this was easy?)

11/23/2008 5:54:52 PM