Compost for gardens (buy, garden, design)

[ARodinJax]

Does anyone have a resource for a large amount of compost? A few of us are putting in a raised bed garden and didn't know of an inexpensive resource. I couldn't find that the city recycles yard waste and sells it like some other cities..Anyone know?

[thatguydownsouth]

Originally Posted by ARodinJax

Does anyone have a resource for a large amount of compost? A few of us are putting in a raised bed garden and didn't know of an inexpensive resource. I couldn't find that the city recycles yard waste and sells it like some other cities..Anyone know?

Once the leaves start dropping youll see bags and bags of them along the roads everywhere. Leaves make GREAT compost, there are plenty of articles online about it. Leaves by natures design ARE compost.

[Florida2014]

Buy a stack of newspapers and shred them up, or even shredded paper works. Grass clippings and even weeds can be used as compost. Just don't put fish/meat as that will attract the critters.

[EricBoyd]

Leaves alone will not make compost, just cheap mulch. If they're broken down enough, they will help retain moisture, but that's not compost. For good compost, the proper mix of "greens" and "browns" is necessary. Kitchen scraps from fruit and veggie carvings, coffee grounds, grass clippings, shredded newspaper, small limbs, leaves, etc. Make sure it's wet enough (but not too wet) and that it can get hot enough to accommodate the composting process. Turn it every week or two. You can get one of those tumbler things, or make you're own. Let google be your friend.

[thatguydownsouth]

Originally Posted by EricBoyd

Leaves alone will not make compost, just cheap mulch. If they're broken down enough, they will help retain moisture, but that's not compost. For good compost, the proper mix of "greens" and "browns" is necessary. Kitchen scraps from fruit and veggie carvings, coffee grounds, grass clippings, shredded newspaper, small limbs, leaves, etc. Make sure it's wet enough (but not too wet) and that it can get hot enough to accommodate the composting process. Turn it every week or two. You can get one of those tumbler things, or make you're own. Let google be your friend.

Umm there is a TON of data out there on using leaves as compost. You do realize that trees by design drop leaves every autumn so that they will compost and A. insulate the roots and B. fertilize the soil right? Leaves are the original compost.....

[EricBoyd]

Thanks. I'll do more research next time.

Editing to add this link: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep323. This is where I derived my original response.

[ARodinJax]

Thanks so much, everyone! I'm actually looking for compost that's ready to plant into and don't have space to compost here.