"Scott Harper" wrote in message
news
In article , Elliot Richmond
wrote:
On Mon, 29 Mar 2004 20:36:53 GMT, c (Scott
Harper) wrote:


So what's the word from the wise gardeners out there? Can live oak
leaves be effectively composted? Any special tricks?

Yes, they make excellent compost and are a valuable addition to the
mix. What you should do is what you said you haven't been doing,
turn, stir, mix. Also, keep them moist. If you have some way to shred
the leaves (such as a mulching mower) they will compost faster.

Okay, sounds good. One clarification regarding them being a "valuable
addition to the mix"... The oak leaves would *be* the mix, at least
somewhere over 90% of it. I leave the grass clippings where they
fall... I could start adding veggie kitchen scraps, but that still
wouldn't amount to much.

My experience was that it took two years to compost (no turning and they
are all but waterproof) and when I spread it out on the "lawn", it killed
it. I blame the tannin in the oak leaves...
So, mulch mowing or shredding is vital and perhaps covering in plastic to
retain moisture. My "starter fuel" is water-soaked rabbit food pellets
(alfalfa) for the nitrogen and I get a bag at Callahan's for $5.00. Good
luck....