Uses of Leaf Compost

Soil Enhancement

• Mix mature compost, compost that has been composting for four to nine months and is crumbly, with your planting soil. You can lay compost over your soil and till it into the soil, or you can dig holes around the base of established plants or trees and fill them with fertilizer and compost. A mix of 25 percent compost to 75 percent soil is generally a good starting point, although you can add up to 50 percent compost if you are dealing with exceptionally dry soil, or soil heavy with clay. Compost helps soil retain moisture and provides nutrients for many garden friendly organisms, such as earthworms.

Mulch

• Remove any weeds or unwanted plants in the area you intend to cover in mulch. Place compost that is not quite mature, compost that has been composting for two to four months, around hardy plants. The decomposition of the compost will prevent weed seeds from sprouting. Be warned, however, that immature compost can also prevent sensitive plants, such as perennials, from flourishing. Compost mulch works well around trees, or around hardy plants like rhododendrons and azaleas, and can effectively cut down on the amount of weeds in your garden. In addition to inhibiting weed growth, compost mulch also helps soil to retain moisture, resulting in having to water less, or having to use less water.

Potting Soil

• Mix mature compost with potting soil when you are planting, or transplanting, a potted plant. A mix of 25 percent compost to 75 percent potting soil is generally sufficient, and using much more could possibly damage sensitive plants. Potted plants do not receive the same minerals and nutrients as plants in gardens, so adding compost can greatly improve the potting soil, aiding water retention, adding nutrients, and attracting beneficial organisms. Mix the compost and potting soil thoroughly, so that there is no visible difference between the potting soil and the compost. Mix in additional compost when you transplant a plant from one pot to another, or when you transplant a potted plant to a garden.

Compost Tea

• Fill a burlap sack, or an old pillowcase, with mature compost. Seal the end so that the compost itself will not seep into the water. Place the sack in a tub, barrel, or other waterproof container and fill the container with water. Twenty-five percent to 75 percent water will result in a fairly strong compost tea; use less or more compost depending on the needs of your garden. Shift the bag so that water permeates the compost. Let the bag soak for several days, agitating it occasionally. Pour the compost tea, the water that has absorbed the compost's nutrients, around your plants.