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| This GardenWeb FAQ file has lots of good info about making leaf mold.
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/soil/2000043150021580.html I've recently figured out that I can run my lawn mower over leaves and obtain shredded leaves (I don't own a true garden shredder). This should help to make leaf mold. I still have a gap in my knowledge for going ahead and making lots of leaf mold: I've read here and there that red-wiggler worms like to eat leaves. So would it be valuable to introduce colonies of red wigglers (from my regular compost bins) into the bin in which I want to make leaf mold? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Worms will move into and out of compost material as conditions change. Unless the surrounding soil is sterile, I would not think it would be necessary to help the worms move. Making (or perhaps we should say Letting) leaf mold is a rather slow process, at least compared to hot composting. |
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| I put bagged leaves in the woods and ignore them for two years. Voila! Leaf mold. |
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| The moisture level of piles of leaves, shredded or unshredded, is as much of an inducement to attracting earthworms as the fact that those leaves are organic matter. I find as many earthworms in the unshredded leaf piles as I do in the shredded leaf mulch piles, when there is the appropriate level of moisture is present. When the leaves are too wet, and that escess water can exclude air, few earthworms are found. |
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| kimmsr, you wrote: "The moisture level of piles of leaves, shredded or unshredded, is as much of an inducement to attracting earthworms as the fact that those leaves are organic matter. I find as many earthworms in the unshredded leaf piles as I do in the shredded leaf mulch piles, when there is the appropriate level of moisture is present. When the leaves are too wet, and that escess water can exclude air, few earthworms are found." With unshredded leaves, the leaves tend to form layers that seem to act as almost-waterproof mats. Then the moisture does not seem move well. The moisture seems to sit and not flow downwards so well by gravity. My thought about shredding is that it reduces this "matted sheet" structure, allowing better airflow. |
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| Are red-wrigglers voracious leaf consumers? I'm asking because I don't have a clue. For some unknown reason, I thought they were more of a 'kitchen waste' type of eater as opposed to leaves. I'm not a worm kind of guy. Lloyd |
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| Sure, add some worms and it won't hurt them. They'll also find your pile like others have said. My experience with leaves is that it takes time no matter what you do especially the stems of maples. Pure leaf mold takes about 2 years. To speed things along - add greens. Turn a few times. Works whether you do it now or wait until spring when you have abundant grass clippings. |
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- Posted by borderbarb (My Page) on Tue, Nov 8, 11 at 11:58
| Re worms in leaf mold. Under my avocado/cherimoya trees, there are tons of red wrigglers/compost worms in the bottom layers of nearly composted leaves, which are under a loose layer of newly dropped leaves. This area is never disturbed because the trees have shallow roots. You might want to check with the vermiculture forum for more concise info. |
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