Another leaf mould question...

[rabbit]

Being a bit new to this gardening malarky, last autumn we put our leaves on the grass clippings, in a big (open) heap at the back of the garden. Is it going to be too late to convert the soggy pile into leaf mould now? Will all the nutrients be leached out etc? I guess the same question can apply to the rotted grass (which was full of lovely red worms in the summer) can I use it at all now? It's been uncovered also.

Thanks

[Aberdeenplotter]

I would have no hesitation in using it.

[Aberdeenplotter]

next time, mix the leaves through the grasscuttings. That gets air and roughage (sometimes referred to as browns) into the mix and should result in good compost

[rustylady]

Adding home made compost and leafmould to your plot isn't just about nutrients, it's about improving the soil structure too. Use what you have now, and for this year's compost heap try to use a mix of ingredients instead of just grass cuttings.

[rabbit]

next time, mix the leaves through the grasscuttings. That gets air and roughage (sometimes referred to as browns) into the mix and should result in good compost

Thanks, can I still mix it now?

Adding home made compost and leafmould to your plot isn't just about nutrients, it's about improving the soil structure too. Use what you have now, and for this year's compost heap try to use a mix of ingredients instead of just grass cuttings.

Great, okay, so do I maybe rake a bit and put a layer on top? Should I do it now? Thanks for the advice both.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Thanks, can I still mix it now?

certainly won't do any harm to get some air into it

[zazen999]

Leaf mould hasn't got many nutrients, that's why it is so good for making seed compost. I'd mix all that together and make a nice open wire bin and get the whole lot in. However you won't get proper leaf mould with worms and grass, leaf mould really is just leaves that rot, no worms involved.

[rabbit]

Leaf mould hasn't got many nutrients, that's why it is so good for making seed compost. I'd mix all that together and make a nice open wire bin and get the whole lot in. However you won't get proper leaf mould with worms and grass, leaf mould really is just leaves that rot, no worms involved.

Next year for the leaf mold then, this time it'll just get composted I think. I was going to mix today but it's been showering on and off, just some weeding instead

[Two_Sheds]

Next year for the leaf mold then, this time it'll just get composted

You *can't really* put leaves into the regular compost heap; well you can, but they slow it down and clag it up.

It really is best to separate them, put them into a separate heap or into black sacks. Grass clippings and worms in the mix are fine, they'll speed things up a bit.

[wizzbang]

I found this thread very helpful. Thankyou.
Lynne x