Page 5 of Soil & Containers, Tools & Watering, Composting by Worm's Way, Inc.

composting falling leaves may be pretty to look at and fun for the kids to play in but leaves in large quantities can be something of a nuisance in fact leaves and yard waste account for nearly 20 percent of the space in our landfills that s too bad since this year s fallen leaves can easily become next spring s free fertilizer instead of bagging or burning those leaves why not compost them instead full of muchneeded nutrients and beneficial microorganisms fresh compost retains moisture and air exceptionally well to improve soil structure and fertility compost can even have an antibiotic effect on some plants protecting them from harmful bacteria the best standard compost recipe calls for · three parts carbon-rich brown material dry leaves chipped brush twigs dry grass and sawdust · two parts high-nitrogen greens including fresh grass clippings garden trimmings shrubbery trimmings weeds and kitchen scraps · and a dash of healthy soil or a starter product which contains live microbes to ensure thorough decomposition of organic materials choose a commercially available compost bin made with recycled materials make sure the bin feature vents or ventilation holes also dark-colored compost bins will help to trap heat which speeds decomposition take fallen leaves chop them up and add some along the base of what will be your compost pile water this layer well and then add a layer of green matter and more water alternate green and brown layers watering each one until you ve used up everything periodically check to make sure that the pile stays about as moist as a wrung-out sponge organic materials you can use from the garden · leaves chopped to speed their breakdown · grass not wet · plants weeds without ripe seeds · old potting soil · soft plant stems from the kitchen · fruit scraps · vegetable trimmings · egg shells crushed · tea bags · coffee grounds with filters · shredded paper materials you cannot use · meat fish and bones · plastics · metals · fats and oils · dairy products · pet waste worm s way now features weekly specials a new item will be selected and discounted each week stop in a worm s way store or visit wormsway.com every week and take advantage of these great deals final thoughts · don t use compost for seedlings instead use sterile soil or a soilless growing medium · your pile may be a little too small if the pile seems to be adequately damp but only slightly warm in the very center deficiencies in nitrogen will also cause the pile to not heat up properly 98 800-274-9676

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