Our compost pile is about 50% shredded maple leaves, and the rest is mostly garden refuse, like sunflower stalks, tomato vines, and raspberry canes. Its a slow pile, I build it up all summer, and let it sit over the winter. There is always plenty of finished compost when I dig out the pile, in April.

You bet! Leaves and grass makes an excellent compost with lots of the micronutrients. I've post the nutrient contents of leaves and grass from Rutgers in the past, I'm sure I could dig them up again if you like.

Lloyd

that's what I'm doing now too. (not 10 acres worth) I wish!
I see steam when I dig holes to add kitchen scraps so it's working. By your name, do you still have hens? add their manure and egg shells too. Good stuff.
:)Laura

I just filled two large bins with 95% grass clippings and chipped leaves that I scored this week in Brewer. I often fill those contractors' mil plastic bags with leaves and grass clippings, haul them out into the woods where I ignore them for a year or two. I've been harvesting some of that beautiful stuff this week.

auntyara: Yes, I do still have hens,,and I sometimes add the chicken manure. I don't add too much, because they are always mixed in the shavings and they seem to take a while to break down,,and they also seem to dry the soil out in the garden a bit.

Thank you for the quick replies,,,I am glad to hear that leaves and grass alone are fine to use,,Of course I will still add the other stuff, but most of my piles now consist of the leaves and grass.

Lloyd, That would be great if you can find them easily. I appreciate it.

You know I find myself driving down the road and looking at peoples lawns that are FULL OF FALLEN LEAVES,,and I think to myself, "oh my gosh,,they are going to waste".!!!
I am tempted to rake up peoples yards just so I can take the stuff home. lol

I am raiding my dad's yard tomorrow for leaves and what ever else tall green grasses might be overgrown in the back of his house. I live in town not far.

Our city lot is small compared to his country lot. Lots of great trees, Oak preferably, so my compost on top of my gardem will be of brown leaves, green grasses. Organic matter is still organic despite of it's origin. It all becomes the same. I'm fortunate they are all coffee drinkers at his house! We have only one at ours!

Plant Nutrients in Municipal Leaves

Nutrient Management of Land Applied Grass Clippings

Click on the download PDF.

Lloyd

I'd guess that my pile will be 50% or better leaves by volume but more like 20% by weight.

I'm always amazed the volume of leaves we put into our pile and the way they cook down...