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Old 05-11-2009, 01:23 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening
Spider[_2_] Spider[_2_] is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Feb 2009
Posts: 572
Default Leaf collection for leaf mould


"michael" wrote in message
...
Our local council is becoming very efficient at collecting leaves from
roads and paths,thus making it difficult for me to wait until there is
sufficient quantity to bag up,and take down my allotment.The council
used to deliver leaves to our allotment site,but they were always full
of cans crisp bags,and even a couple of syringes(!).So I find it
better to collect my own leaves,and thus avoid,if possible,the
rubbish.I did not used to collect leaves from roadsides,since I
thought of the oil and leaded petrol deposits that would contaminate
the leaf mould.However,now that the majority of cars run on unleaded
petrol,and are moden enough not to drop oil,I am happier about it.Also
I am reluctant to use animal (horse or cow)manure for mixing with
compost at the moment because of the herbicide problem produced by the
Dow Chemical Company.
There is also the problem of dog faeces mixed up with the leaves,which
can be unpleasant,but again not as usual these days as most dog owners
seem to use bags.
Does it matter if some faeces ends up in the leaf mould,assuming that
one regular washes ones hands?
Michael



To be honest, I would be far more worried about getting hepatitis from
syringes, than worms or even toxicara from dogs or foxes. If the council
unwittingly collected syringes, then so could you, not to mention condoms
and their related diseases.

You'll never entirely free your allotment from animal waste, as I'm sure
foxes, dogs and cats (stoats and others, near the countryside) find their
way in and do 'what comes naturally'. If you're prepared to take the risk
of composting it, and you use those large plastic 'hands' (or a homemade
version) to collect up the leaves (and undesirables), then go ahead and
collect to your hearts content. Do, though, be very very careful.

Spider