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United Kingdom

Hi,
I have been reading about growers using composted maple leaves in their patches. What benefit (nutrient wise) does this method have ?
I use leaf mould on my garden but this is from decidious woodland. When the leaves have broken down they give soil a better structure but are very low in nutrients.
Do maple leaves add significantly high nutrient levels to your patch ?
I`m just wondering/interested. I dont have any access to maple leaves,

Thanks

Peter.

3/18/2007 4:18:01 AM

Bristol, ME (stunner906@roadrunner.com)

Increases Organic Matter and provides food for earthworms and bacteria in your patch. Feeding your soil is as important as feeding your plant.

3/18/2007 6:26:38 AM

Rhode Island

Diseased pumpkin patches are the main reason we fail in our attempt to grow a giant pumpkin. All the hard work, all the money tied up, all the seed selecting, etc, is for nothing if you have a diseased patch.

Tree leaves as well as grass clipping from a contractor can carry all sorts of disease into your patch if not composted correctly.
It is for this reason we do not use leaves or grass clippings.

A good layer of aged compost is best for your soil.

Pap

3/18/2007 8:26:05 AM

United Kingdom

Pap,
Would it be ok to use stuff that I had composted myself ?
I always collect my own leaves and grass for composting plus I use a "hot heap" method for composting which kills weeds etc.
Plus, could I ask where you stand on using kelp. I have heard people here using kelp meal to supplement their patch.
I have access to lots of fresh seaweed which I have composted and then added to my patch. But I guess it might be better to use formulated stuff then you know exactly how much nitrogen etc you are adding.
What do you think ?

Thanks

PJ (Peter)

3/18/2007 12:09:22 PM

Montoursville, PA

LEAVES are Mother's way of nurturing her soil. If they are collected where they are not nuked like 2-4-D in weed and feed type products. All organic stuff will compost in time and become better than the raw materials that made up the piles. Most advisory writers suggest not using meats, bones, human wastes and pet poops. There is nothing wrong with those organics either "IF" the pile temperature is high enough for enough days. Since few of us can maintain those high temperatures it is likely good advise not to use the suggested exclusions.

3/18/2007 1:02:14 PM

Montoursville, PA

Peter..........those nutrients as just exactly what mother uses to nourish her great woodlands of the world. What is in the soil and on the soil and proven by most testing facilities shows the basics but nearly never the available facts. I use commercial kelp because many great growers do. I do not know the content of many tons of compost I have used so we let common results suggest what may be correct additives.

Re-minerialization additives may be even more important. True your trees and plants mined the minerals and give them back..........however they may not have available some that are in a good re-mineralization product. Products from the sea deliver 60 to 90 trace minerals.

3/18/2007 1:19:23 PM

United Kingdom

Hi Doc.
Thanks for the information. I`m still in the process of tying to get my head round lots of things concerned with growing pumpkins.
I can honestly say that I am finding it fascinating but cannot wait to start actually growing one !
Thanks again

PJ (Pete)

3/18/2007 4:40:35 PM