Don’t get rid of leaves – add them to compost

It’s that time of the year where leaves turn golden and scarlet, covering lawns and gardens with a colorful carpet.

But, don’t be in such a hurry to rake, bag and discard those leaves says Ann Murphy, Education Coordinator for Spokane Regional Solid Waste System. She uses the leaves from her two maple trees to add to her compost bin.

“You need a mix of dried leaves and green material like grass clippings for composting,” she says.

Composting adds humus material to soil, making it more fertile and productive. In addition to dried leaves and grass, compost usually contains some kind of animal manure. Never use dog, cat or pig manure, Murphy cautioned, as it can contain undesirable pathogens.

So what should you include?

“Anything will compost,” she says, “no matter what kind of pile you make.” She advises turning your pile weekly if you want it to heat and decompose quickly. Whether you use a composting bin or just a corner of the garden you can have good results.

Even if you don’t want a compost pile, those autumn leaves can be used for other things. Murphy says many folks shred the leaves, and use them for mulch in their flowerbeds. Mulching promotes water conservation by slowing down the rate of moisture evaporation.

Fallen foliage is nature’s gift to us. Using it now, instead of discarding it as waste, is a great way to have lush lawns and gardens next spring and summer.