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Soil, Compost & Mulch

Leaf storage q

15 years ago

So, I've been collecting leaves for a few weeks (2nd year for me now). I've got a big area cordoned off with chicken wire about 16'x20', mostly full. I also have one big plastic bag of leaves - the fake pumpkin type that I used for decoration.

My question - is there a reason to keep the leaves in the bag over the winter, or should I just dump them on the big pile with everything else? I have room in my shed for the bag, if there is a reason to keep them in the bag. Pros or cons either way? The leaves were dry when I put them in the bag, if that makes a difference. I also compacted them a bit as I put them it.

(I also have some leaves in lasagna beds getting ready for spring, fwiw.)

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Comments (7)

val_s
15 years ago
I don't keep bags but I do fill up my bins and then keep left overs in garbage cans to be used next year. I usually get finished compost out of the bin by late spring or early summer. By then all the leaves are gone so in order to start my next batch I like to have the extras on hand. Right now I have about 7 or 8 garbage cans full. I think it'll be more than I need but this is the first time for me having such an abundance.

Val
bpgreen
15 years ago
If you leave them in the bag over the winter, make sure to poke a bunch of holes in the bag or you may have a smelly mess in the bag next spring.
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robertz6
15 years ago
I first store shredded fall leaves in any of my unused seven mesh bins. Then I may make a 6" to 12" high mass pile over part of my tomato plot. Then I store the rest of shredded leaves in the patio room in back in paper leaf bags.

Fresh cut grass I use in the compost pile the same day it is cut. Coffee grounds can keep weeks in the plastic bags. Since the 'greens' have a short storage life (there is a limit to what one can store in the freezer), I store leaves and make compost piles as greens become available.

My leaves are oak, maple and sweet gum for the most part. Magnolia leaves - big, thick and waxy, I would shred finely as soon as possible; if I used them at all.
irene_dsc
Original Author
15 years ago
Hmmm...sounds like I should just dump them on the big pile so they don't get nasty.
kqcrna
15 years ago
I've kept them in closed bags with no problem. If they're totally dry it's OK. If there's any moisture present, and no air, they can get pretty slimy.

Karen
annpat
15 years ago
I've never seen bagged leaves do anything but turn into leaf mold. They don't get nasty. Even if they're wet they don't get nasty. They just break down into black leaf mold.

I am very lucky here. I can get all the leaves I want at a local dump and I've got land to store them, so I gather all the leaves I can and bag them into large contractors' bags and haul them into the woods where I leave them for two or three years. I also use all the leaves I can in my compost.
Kimmsr
15 years ago
The only place I store any leaves is in the compost bin or as mulch on the planting beds. Maybe, if I gave up my workshop I would have some place inside to store some, or maybe if I built another shed (although the township says I am getting close to the maximum number of buildings I can have, legally), but there is no good reason to pile leaves up now for later use. Make compost or use them for mulch.

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