We have a holly tree in one corner of the garden, and
usually I do not bother with it. This year I need to
tidy up near it, and as there are a lot of dry, hard
and prickly leaves on the floor, I was wonderinging if
it would be worthwhile composting them.Probably stick
them in a plastic sack and store away in a corner for
a few years if it is worth it, if not they'll go on
the bonfire heap!


--
Roger T

700 ft up in Mid-Wales

On 28/09/2013 19:43, Jake wrote:
On Sat, 28 Sep 2013 19:32:26 +0100, Roger Tonkin
wrote:

We have a holly tree in one corner of the garden, and
usually I do not bother with it. This year I need to
tidy up near it, and as there are a lot of dry, hard
and prickly leaves on the floor, I was wonderinging if
it would be worthwhile composting them.Probably stick
them in a plastic sack and store away in a corner for
a few years if it is worth it, if not they'll go on
the bonfire heap!

I've found that holly leaves take several years to break down and now
consign them to the local tip where, presumably, the hotter composting
process will achieve something.


Am I right in thinking that leaf mould isn't very nutritious anyway?
Probably improves soil structure though?

In article ,
stuart noble wrote:
On 28/09/2013 19:43, Jake wrote:
On Sat, 28 Sep 2013 19:32:26 +0100, Roger Tonkin
wrote:

We have a holly tree in one corner of the garden, and
usually I do not bother with it. This year I need to
tidy up near it, and as there are a lot of dry, hard
and prickly leaves on the floor, I was wonderinging if
it would be worthwhile composting them.Probably stick
them in a plastic sack and store away in a corner for
a few years if it is worth it, if not they'll go on
the bonfire heap!

I've found that holly leaves take several years to break down and now
consign them to the local tip where, presumably, the hotter composting
process will achieve something.


Am I right in thinking that leaf mould isn't very nutritious anyway?
Probably improves soil structure though?

Yes.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 09:49:33 +0100, stuart noble wrote:


Am I right in thinking that leaf mould isn't very nutritious anyway?
Probably improves soil structure though?

Trees may not have brains but they are not stupid. They re-absorb every
last bit of 'goodness' from leaves before they drop them. What's left is
mostly complex carbohydrates (I believe) which fungi break down into
'humus', a key component of the structure of topsoils.

On 29/09/2013 14:56, Derek Turner wrote:
On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 09:49:33 +0100, stuart noble wrote:


Am I right in thinking that leaf mould isn't very nutritious anyway?
Probably improves soil structure though?

Trees may not have brains but they are not stupid. They re-absorb every
last bit of 'goodness' from leaves before they drop them. What's left is
mostly complex carbohydrates (I believe) which fungi break down into
'humus', a key component of the structure of topsoils.

Most sources note that in fallen leaves the carbon:nitrogen ratio is
about 30:1. That appears to be the best ratio for recycling and
nutrient retention. If it's less than 30:1, the nitrogen is in excess
and is lost as ammonia. If it's more than 30:1, then the resulting
humus will be deficient in nitrogen.

Some plants are more efficient than others at reabsorbing carbon and
nitrogen from leaves, but if you think about it, there must be some
nitrogen returned to the soil or plants would not be able to grow (those
that can use nitrogen fixed by micro-organisms are in the minority).

--

Jeff