Do leaves make good compost?

leaf-compost

Did you know leaves can have twice the mineral content of Manure?!

Don’t we love the rich warm colours of the autumn leaves at this time of year? But as we head into winter, those leaves can pile up thickly on the ground and turn into a brown slushy mess. That’s okay if it isn’t a walking area for people, but leaf litter on paths and driveways not only looks unsightly but it could cause people to slip and fall.

So what to do with all those leaves? Throw them in the rubbish bin as many do….??

Please don’t! Some may see leaves over their garden as a nuisance and an extra job that they just don’t have time for. But I hope that you will think differently once you realise just how good they really are.

The deciduous (trees that lose their leaves in winter) leaves of most trees have twice the mineral content of manure. They also improve aeration and water drainage/holding capacity of the soil. With lots of beneficial microbes, they make your soil active.

Leaves contain lots of trace elements that your soil needs, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. Trees are fantastic mining machines, bringing the elements/minerals from their extensive root base right up and into the leaves. It’s estimated that 50-80% of these nutrients end up in the leaves – then, once composted, goes into your soil.

So, how do we make compost using leaves?

Leaves are considered as carbon ‘browns’ in composting circles. To get a quicker decomposition you need to add nitrogen ‘greens’ to the mix. The ratio is about 2 parts leaves (browns) to one part ‘greens’. ‘Greens’ could be kitchen waste or grass clippings. And the finer you chop or shred – the quicker the heap will break down. Chopping and mixing leaves and green ingredients will speed decomposition by four times compared to a whole leaves only pile. A good way to prepare this quickly, is to run your lawnmower over your lawn and leaves. Then it is chopped and already mixed! Five parts leaves to one part manure will get your compost moving compost-tumbleras well.

To aid faster decomposition and avoid matting, frequent turning of the leaf compost is a must. This is where tumbling composters make life a little easier. At Landera we sell compost tumblers and the other enclosed, standing unit composters.

Ideally, enclosed composters should be used because they retain the moisture from the materials being composted. They deter pests such as rodents, possums and the dog! It also helps speed up the composting process.

So, the benefit to you is: while you are preparing compost to improve your soil – you are reaping the rewards of exercise (raking and mowing) and getting some sunshine (Vitamin D), so both you and your garden will benefit.

compostingHappy Gardening!

 

Please visit the compost section of our website to view our composter range.

Are Cedar Sheds Termite Resistant?

 

Will termites eat my Cedar shed?

Western Red Cedar has an in-built resistance to termites because of a naturally occurring preservative in the wood. Scientists have shown that Cedar was not only repelling termites but was also toxic to the termites who did try consuming it. Because of this, Cedar is a great type of wood to use on garden sheds. Termites will look for alternative sources of wood first, leaving the ‘non-preferred’ Cedar alone. Cedar sheds termite resistance means you can be confidant your shed will be around for many years to come.

And it only gets better….

An exciting feature of Western Red Cedar is its resistance to moisture absorption. A benefit from this is high decay resistance and natural water resistance. This ensures that your shed doesn’t suffer warping or twisting the same as other timbers may do.

And of course, it has good insulation value and smells great, too. It performs far better than steel or other softwood timber. This is good to know if you are going to be spending a fair amount of time in your shed/hobby room/get away!

More and more people in Australia are opting to purchase Cedar wooden sheds. And I can see why.

Beautiful warm wood grains ranging from a light straw colour through to a darker red gives a natural and rustic charm that other man-made materials can’t quite seem to match.

Landera offers a range of Cedar garden sheds that are manufactured right here in Australia. These Cedar sheds are made from Western Red Cedar that is from sustainable forests in British Coloumbia.
We have small Cedar timber sheds for those narrow spots, going right up to spacious sheds that are popular as hobby homes and retreats.cedar-shed-range

Click the image to view our range of Cedar Garden Sheds.