DO THE ROT THING!

Falling leaves? Make compost!

When leaves rot they turn into compost. And when compost is added to the soil, the microorganisms that live in the soil (microscopic creatures we can’t see) turn it into black stuff called humus (not hummus like you eat on crackers!), which plants love. Compost is food and medicine for your soil, making it really healthy. You can make compost out of anything that was once ‘ living’. Leaves that have fallen from trees make brilliant compost. You just need to be patient!

You can find fallen leaves:

• At home in your garden • On your verge or footpath • In the park • At your neighbour’s place

(but ask first!)

How to make leaf compost:

• Rake up all the leaves you can find. • Spray them with water and put

them into plastic rubbish bags. • Poke a few holes in the bags. • Make sure the bags are closed well (you can use a brick to make sure they stay closed). • Store the bags in a warm,

sunny place.

How do you use leaf compost?

You can use your compost as a soil conditioner or spread it over the garden as mulch - like a blanket to protect your soil from the weather. After a year or maybe two, leaf compost becomes beautifully fine and crumbly, and you’ve made your own seed raising mix!