I’m new to this and want to make sure I’m getting it right. I’ve built a pallet-walled compost pile and will starting it soon here in Washington state. We have all these matted wet leaves on the ground from last fall, and I can just mix them with, say, fresh lawn trimmings from the mower? I’ve also got chicken manure available from our girls and some moss/dry grass from dethatching the lawn last fall. Should all of that be included in a new pile? Much thanks for any info!
by PatBanglePhoto
8 Comments
Sounds like an excellent start!
Yes you can, they’d work perfect as a brown material although you may want to leave some for hibernating insects etc
Absolutely
To be honest those leaves right there are doing what they need to be doing. What my crazy ass does is go around the neighborhood and pickup *other* peoples leaves that they are setting out to the curb.
I always give a once over of their yard, if it’s neat and organized with zero plant diversity I safely assume they use some sort of weed killer. If it’s a mix of horseherb, grasses, etc, I know they just let their lawn do whatever and it’s good to go in the pile.
Send it. I started with a bunch of grass clippings, shredded paper and some kitchen scraps and now it’s full of worms and breaking down faster than I can fill it!
And pee, pee on it a lot
🙌🏻
Leaf mold🎯
What I do is make a huge pile of leaves in the fall right next to my compost pile and make layers of leaves and whatever green I have flip the pile 2X during the summer. I did find that I have to water the pile when it gets dry in the summer or it stops composting. In the fall I have about two yards to spread out over my garden. Then the process starts over. Nothing fancy or complicated but it works well.
You got a good start