Composting Fall Leaves

There is no better season than fall in Wisconsin. The cool crisp air in the mornings, followed by a comfortable sun splashed afternoon can't be beat. The smell of leaves permeates the air, as they leave behind their summer green for the many vibrant hues of orange, yellow, and red. Apples are ripe for the picking and the pies are hot and fresh, tossing their cinnamon aroma into the cool breeze.

 The leaves of course are going to fall soon and cover our yards with their colorful blanket. This means that in order for our grass to survive, we have to remove the leaves before they suffocate our lawn.

 You can of course rake them into a pile and have some fun with the little ones first, but ultimately they have to go. Living in town I only have three choices for my leaf disposal, raking them up and hauling them to the curb is one choice. That means I have to make sure they are there, whenever the city comes by to pick them up, which can put a lot strain on your schedule. My second choice is hauling them in myself to the city dump which is also a lot of work and requires time off during the hours that they are open.

 The third and final choice is composting. This is by far the best answer for me and for my flower beds come spring time. I have built myself a compost bin from treated lumber and chicken wire. It is a very simple design and is very effective in turning our yard waste into valuable compost. You can also purchase many different types and sizes of compost bins. 

Instead of raking leaves I usually just put the bagger on my lawnmower and essentially use it like a vacuum to suck up the leaves. This is not only faster and easier but it also chops the leaves a little which helps speed up the composting process.

 Another added benefit is that we are filling fewer garbage bags each week because we throw all of our food waste into the compost bin as well. Everything from egg shells, to coffee grounds, to old leftovers, gets thrown in the compost. This keeps our garbage can less full and less offensive. Between recycling and composting we only put our garbage on the curb every other week while the rest of our neighbors have theirs out every week. Composting is not only good for the environment but it can also be a quick and convenient solution for yard waste disposal!

For a great resource on how to build compost bins visit this composting site.