You Should Be Adding Fall Leaves to Your Compost—Here’s Why

Every fall, as vibrant leaves blanket the ground, homeowners start their annual raking routine. This year, instead of throwing your leaves away, consider adding them to your compost pile.

While it may be tempting to send fallen leaves to the landfill, there's a more sustainable and beneficial option. By incorporating them into your compost pile, you can transform seasonal waste into rich compost that nourishes your soil and promotes healthy plant growth.

Below, experts highlight the benefits of adding fall leaves to your compost pile and provide valuable tips to help you do it correctly.

What to Know About Composting Leaves

As long as they are disease-free, leaves are an excellent way to boost your compost pile. In small quantities, they can be added to a composting bin with other organic matter, such as fruits and vegetables.

"If there are a lot of leaves, like several buckets or a barrowful, it’s good to put them in a separate heap to decompose slowly, and convert into what we call leaf mold compost," says no-dig gardener Charles Dowding. However, keep in mind that this method takes about 18 months. "You can speed up decomposition by collecting them with a rotary lawnmower, which exposes a lot more surface area to the fungi of decomposition."

Benefits of Composting Leaves

While fallen leaves may seem like a chore, seeing them as a benefit to creating compost gives you a great reason to enjoy collecting them, says Dowding. Beyond the tidy yard look, adding leaves to your compost pile offers a host of benefits for your soil and the environment, and it doesn't cost a thing.

Balances the Carbon-Nitrogen Ratio

A balanced carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is crucial for compost piles, as it energizes microorganisms to break down organic matter efficiently. This prevents slow decomposition due to excess carbon and reduces ammonia odors resulting from excess nitrogen.

Most home composts contain an abundance of nitrogen-rich 'green' materials, such as grass clippings, coffee grounds, and kitchen scraps. Incorporating dry fall leaves introduces 'brown' carbon-rich material to your compost, which is essential for the decomposition process and also helps prevent the pile from becoming overly soggy. Typically, the best compost ratio is 3 parts browns to 1 part greens.

Improves Soil Structure

Composted leaves enhance soil aeration and drainage, facilitating better cultivation. Known as 'leaf mold,' this compost adds organic matter that lightens heavy clay soils and improves moisture retention in sandy soils. The organic matter creates air pockets, resulting in looser soil and better root aeration.

Reduces Waste

By composting leaves instead of sending them to the landfill in plastic bags, you help reduce waste. Composting at home significantly decreases the amount of material that needs to be collected, transported, and disposed of in a landfill.

Feeds Beneficial Organisms

Decomposing leaves attract and feed earthworms, beneficial fungi, and a variety of microorganisms, fostering a healthy ecosystem. Earthworms, in particular, convert organic waste into nutrient-rich castings, which include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, resulting in a potent fertilizer for your gardens.

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How to Compost Leaves

Now that you understand the benefits of using leaves in your compost bin, it's time to create a plan. Eric Nieusma, co-owner of Maine Hill Farm, shares straightforward tips to help you compost your fallen leaves effectively.

1. Find a source of fresh fall leaves that you want to collect. Carefully examine the leaves to ensure there are no signs of disease or pests. "Look for spots and small holes, as these can indicate the presence of diseases or that pests have laid eggs," explains Nieusma.
2. Gather the fresh leaves that have recently fallen and are easy to rake up, rather than those that are matted down. You can also collect leaves using a mower with a bagger attachment. To aid in decomposition, Nieusma recommends running the leaves through a shredder, if possible, before adding them to your compost pile. However, this is optional.
3. Once you have your leaves, start incorporating them into your compost pile as you would with your brown (carbon) layer. Add a 6 to 10-inch layer of leaves to your compost pile, followed by a 1 to 2-inch layer of nitrogen-rich green matter, such as grass clippings or kitchen scraps. This will ensure a good carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.
4. You can repeat this method of layering as needed, or until the compost pile reaches 5 feet.