Instead of bagging up leaves, recycle them! Composting fall leaves results in brown gold in spring. Dry, brittle leaves turn into dark, rich humus. This material creates a loose structure that holds moisture and drains well.

When you use leaf compost as part of your gardening routine, you see the return in hardier, more vigorous plants. It’s straightforward, easy, and mother nature pretty much does the majority of the work for you if you are patient.

You can pile the leaves up in an enclosure and leave it alone for a few years; all you have to do is collect the finished compost.

If you don’t want to wait years for nature’s natural breakdown, move your leaf composting along by making sure your leaf pile has sufficient air and moisture. This means turning, wetting, and rebuilding the pile periodically.

Learn more from these Extension fact sheets: “Composting Publication” from NC State Extension. For more information, contact Bryan Hartman, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, at bkhartman@ncat.edu.