leaf bags

[lainey lou]

Has anyone seen/tried those jute leaf bags that seem to be poping up everywhere at the mo? Wondered is they're a worthwhile proposition?

[bluemoon]

I was wondering that myself. In the past I've always used a length of chicken wire wrapped around posts and it's worked well but I think these bags may be better as they can be chucked just about anywhere. On the other hand leaves reduce to almost nothing when compared to their original bulk and as the cheapest I've seen these bags is a fiver for three it could prove to be the most expensive titchy bit of compost I'd ever produced. Sticking with the chicken wire for this year, but will keep an eye on this post to see what others think

[rustylady]

I just use black bin liners (not the really cheap really thin ones). Reasonably thick ones are readily available at around £2 for five. You also need to punch drainage holes in them so there's no way I'm going to pay a fiver for three bags I then have to make holes in. I stack my bags round the side of the shed and forget about them. Make superb leafmould. You can also use old compost bags.

[NSB]

Heres my answers:

1. Cant remember where but I have seen - leaf bags they are biodegradable and the bag rots down. (they look like the bags that onions come in at the veg shop)
2. I've seen in Sainsburys - bags that look like bin bags but are green compost bags they completely rot - thats an idea I've got for my leaf mould.
3. Using the onion/veg string bags from your local veg stall - put the leaves in there and the air and moisture can rot them down.

Hope this helps

[bluemoon]

I think the idea with the jute bags is that the bag rots along with the leaves. Onion bags wouldn't do this as they are polypropylene. But I agree that an old onion bag would probably be an excellent way to produce leaf-mould and would still be around next season to use again. The biggest advantage to an onion bag of course is that it would probably be free from the local green-grocer

[lainey lou]

Got 5 leaf bags from green gardener for £7.50 inc p&p not cheep but they are massive and you can get loads of leaves in them especially if you fill them over a few days and keep squashing the contents down. Yes you're right blue moon the bag does rot along with the leaves.
Will report back and let you know how it goes!

[Snadger]

Would the dumpy bags that a tonne of sand or gravel are supplied in mot be useful for composting leaves. Four metal pins as used around roadworks could be hammered into the soil and the four handles on the bag could be looped onto the pins. This would give you about a metre cube to store leaves in!