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Austin MN

I have a stream by my house that has lots of mostly oak and some maple leaves in the bottom of it. I was wondering if it is okay to compost this, as it seams it would be a good source of organic material.

3/17/2012 4:50:07 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Oak will take a little longer to break down, but I don't see why not? I think it is Walnut you should avoid.

3/17/2012 4:53:41 PM

Muddy Waters

Great source & scoop up some weeds with it.

3/17/2012 11:51:40 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Oak has too much tannin

Straight Maple is about the best.

3/18/2012 1:06:18 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I dont think you could legally do what you want in wisconsin with out a permit from the DNR. They get a little touchy when it comes to messing with streams

3/18/2012 7:01:29 AM

Rhode Island

sounds like a lot of work for a small reward? if i were you id just get some good compost or find a better source of leaf piles.etc. gotta be other spots in the area.

3/18/2012 7:59:03 AM

New York

I'd be concerned about harmful water-borne diseases and microbes floating around. You never know what's half a mile upstream (my pond catches runoff from an upstream dairy farm)

3/18/2012 8:56:30 AM

Williamsburg,KY

I agree with Pap, find a better source. You wont be sorry.

3/18/2012 9:57:31 AM

Taylorsville, California

Oak leaves make quite a fine compost if broken down properly actually Okiegal! The tannins slow decomp a bit but a fine finished compost is still the end result, shread them to help speed it up

3/18/2012 10:16:25 AM

Weedville,pa

I'm no expert but I think I'd be concerned about importing Pythium into your patch by dredging those leaves out of the stream

3/18/2012 10:26:09 AM

Austin MN

It is mostly oak were I live, but there is a compost site not far from my house that has finished compost. I think ill just get my compost from there since it’s free. The problem is my soil it has a lot of clay so I am trying to get all the compost I can get to help make it not so compact.

3/18/2012 10:47:57 AM

Corbin, KY

Some Gypsum along with compost will help your clay soil. Nothing wrong with compost made from oak leaves.

3/19/2012 9:21:18 AM

Linden, Mi.,

Yes - Do not use walnut, not good at all !

3/19/2012 1:48:37 PM

Rhode Island

adding sand to the clay soil can also help it breath much better. better off with good drainage rather than hard clay holding to much water.
you can always add water but its impossible to subtract it from heavy soils.
a good balance of sand plus compost would be the ticket. also whenever possible ? a deep soil/sod buster helps break up lower lever hard pan.( always a good garden practice every couple years)
pls remember that large amts of compost will also hold excess moisture as well.

heres a helpfull hint for checking drainage in your patch.

dig a couple holes eight inches wide and 1 and 1/2 ft deep. fill it with water, then let it drain fully and refill. if the second fill up is drained out within an hr and one half? your good. any longer and you need to improve your drainage.
at least thats the way we have always tested.

pap

3/20/2012 8:39:35 AM

Austin MN

Pap thank you for you info. Could you shoot me an email at [email protected] I have some more questions for you about my soil. Thanks again Tanner

3/20/2012 4:15:15 PM