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Leafmold

triscka1triscka1 Posts: 18
in The potting shed
Hello

Is it possible to use "fresh" green leaves to make leafmold?  I want to use the leaves from a tree and shrubs I'm going to prune/cut back and they are still green.  If I can't use them, could someone explain to me why I can't.  Thank you
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Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Not really.
    Fresh green leaves will just rot down to compost as they are still full of water - so ideal for the compost heap (unless they're thick and waxy like laurel).
    It's the dried dead leaves that are needed to make leaf mold. They rot down slowly and produce a very different type of compost

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you just leave them on the branches to die back, that'll be easier. 
    They'll just take longer to break down and be useable when green.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • triscka1triscka1 Posts: 18
    Thank you both.  I'll just have to be patient then! :D
  • JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
    Or let them dry where they fall for a day or two before adding them to the leaf mould pile
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Or just rent a powerful shredder and shred and pile the branches and leaves all together.  It's a good mix of browns and greens.  Put them inside a wire round or something to keep them piles together (as you would leaf mound).  It will make some nice rough compost in a year.  There will still be chunks of wood in it, but that isn't different than most bagged compost these days.   :D
    Utah, USA.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you have grass, you can also tip bigger branches/leaves onto it and use a mower on them to make them smaller. They break down a bit quicker that way. Bit of a faff though, and the branches would have to be thin enough not to jigger the mower up   ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • triscka1triscka1 Posts: 18
    Thanks JoeX, Blue Onion and Fairygirl - all suggestions appreciated.  

    My garden is small without grass so no mower or shredder.  Will just have to work even more on being patient!! :D:D
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's surprising how quickly it works. Ideally, you wait until leaves are off the trees/shrubs though. 
    If you let them brown - just leave them somewhere out of sight, then stick them into black bin bags with holes in them, and tuck them away, you should get something useable for next autumn/winter. Make sure they're wet before adding them to the bags  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • triscka1triscka1 Posts: 18
    Thanks Fairygirl.  Will do. :)
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    I like to use old compost bags, with extra holes in.  They are tougher than bin bags, and you are reusing.  I turn them inside out so I know it's not new potting compost, but you don't need to do that. 
    AB Still learning

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