To accelerate decomposition add moisture and nitrogen (nitrate fertilizer), keep the pH high (use lime), increase the surface area (sawdust decomposes much faster than wood chips). So you'll have to turn it. extracted from the ground end up in the leaves. An oak leaf that is still whole, if left on the ground or in bare spots in the lawn, will stay there, blocking grass growth for many years. I envision requiring an area in my yard for all the leaves every year, but would like to use them to my advantage. Don't use plastic to cover the pile use dead carpet instead. Overview Information Lime is a citrus fruit. Turn the leaves with a pitch fork now and periodically throughout the season. Pile the leaves and wet thoroughly with water, once damp then water the urea over the pile. Whole leaves take FOREVER to decompose. Compost added to soil can improve drainage on heavy soil, and it can help retain moisture and nutrients on sandy soil. rules. Are you asking yourself what to do with all your leaves or grass before the winter? Mixing the leaves into the soil now would not be good for your soil structure. the decomposition process. Use a shovel or pitchfork to mix the pile. After about a year, the soil interacts with the leaves to produce the compost that you're after. How long have those leaves been in your yard? The smaller the size of the material, the faster it will decompose. It didn't take long to see them vanish. leaves ratio. How long for leaves to decompose? Pile the leaves and wet thoroughly with water, once damp then water the urea over the pile. try adding some lime or nitrogen when you turn them over. This is especially true in a vegetable garden where you 2 Soak the first layer of leaves thoroughly with a garden hose. followed by some soil. For example, if large quantities of uncomposted leaves are incorporated into the soil, microbes will compete with plants' roots for soil nitrogen during leaf decomposition. If possible, shred the leaves prior to composting. There are times when wood's natural strength and durability are a hindrance. Hi I'm Alex, and welcome to HowMonk! Although they are more leathery, Becker said, oak leaves do not take years to decompose and are not all that acidic. Left in the fall, will they stay there in the spring? The dust will clog the air filter so check and clean it often. The CompostWizard EZ-Tumbler arrives fully assembled so you won’t spend hours putting it together, and it’s low profile design means you won’t need to lift materials very far to fill it. Let the mix get moist but not soggy. Dr. Earth Compost Starter includes the necessary microorganisms for digesting organic materials — produces a great finished compost. To properly compost your autumn leaves they should be chopped up, moistened and turned once or twice a month so that all the parts of your pile gets enough air (check below). Build up a pile of compostable material, adding leaves and other materials in alternating layers and creating a carbon to nitrogen ratio of about 30 to 1.Start a Worm Composting Bin. Composting Fundamentals: How to make organic compost, build your own composter or buy one online. Oaks in general take longer to decompose. Shredding can be accomplished easily with a leaf shredder or with a push or riding mower. To speed up this process, run a lawnmower back and forth over the leaf pile to grind the leaves into tiny pieces and slivers. Moreover, how long does it take for wood to decompose? Here is how to compost leaves quickly: First, chop the leaves into smaller bits by mowing them Then, put 1 … The composting process begins at the bottom of the pile. Keep it damp and add white lime. Mix the material so that the lime is evenly distributed into the pile. cab 2000 Chevy 3500 16' tandem trailer w/ side gate 60" 25hp Bobcat ZT-225 w/ back vac 54" 20hp Hydro Bobcat w/b 21" MTD Stihl BR600,BR340,Husq 325L,KM85,FS45,MS250C, MS310,Echo PB620 … Many people create a compost because the leaves will biodegrade in a great soil addition for your yard or garden. Just about any leaves will do (even Eucalypts) but Millie does avoid the leaves of the Plane Tree as they are slow to decompose and can cause allergies. It is organic too! Autumn leaves require shredding first then 1.2kgs of urea in 10litres water to 1m3 of autumn leaves. Set your wood chipper to "liquefy". ways. A study by Michigan State University indicates that mulching is 100% beneficial for the lawn. If the compost pile starts to appear dry, spray it EXPERT TIP. Eucalyptus leaves – yes, but they may take a while to decompose so run over them with a lawn mower first. If you don’t have a shredder, you can simply mow the leaves to collect them. Step 2 Sprinkle 1/3 cup each of lime and fertilizer evenly over the leaves. Leaves that take longer to decompose include beech, birch, hornbeam, oak and sweet chestnut. It is organic too! Not only does shredding create smaller pieces to compost, it tears multiple edges of the leaf fragments, causing them to deteriorate even faster. Instead of raking leaves into bags headed for the landfill, experts say fallen leaves can actually stay put. Sprinkle 1 cup of agricultural lime on your compost pile for every 25 cubic feet of material. on several factors such as air/oxygen, moisture, type of leaves and green/brown When the leaves break down, or decompose so that they no longer appear to be leaves, they are ready to be used as compost! Lime, some sand, and a couple truck loads of manure (every fall). From beginners to experts this page provides backyard composting information and tips for successful home composting. Depending on the size of your compost pile, what you put in it, and how you tend to it, this process can take three months to two years. Alternatively, you can put them into a … Left on their own, your leaves may not decompose over winter because Construct the compost pile in layers. Gathered at their peak and decomposition happens faster if the leaves are broken down in smaller bits. Acidity is measured on the pH scale where a reading under pH 7 is acidic. Heat helps. The benefit of adding lime to compost will continue through to the soil that the compost is applied to. Leaves are perhaps the best material because of their availability and organic content; however, other types of organic materials such as animal manures, grass clippings, vegetable refuse, small tree limbs and shrubbery Build up a pile of compostable material, adding leaves and other materials in alternating layers and creating a carbon to nitrogen ratio of about 30 to 1.Start a Worm Composting Bin. What do you use to make leaves decompose quickly I would like to spread the piles out and mix them with existing soil, to hopefully be able to plant … Mix the leaves with a fertilizer, one with lots of nitrogen. You can speed the process by turning the heap over. but it will take time, several months before you will see results. Mow the leaves that have fallen onto the lawn to break them down into small pieces that decompose more readily.Compost the Leaves. Early-season raking of clipped grass and leaves help solve this problem by supplying an already mixed source of leaves and grass. $ 9.95 Read more. Shredded leaves on the other hand, break down quickly in a compost pile. Wear a dust mask. Spreading around the bases of plants and trees can help the 13 years . Here is a quick preview Whole leaves will block the sunlight and reduce water Should you convert your yard (garden) leaves into organic soil conditioner, or to dispose them in garbage? You can pile as much as you want on it, and sometimes it’s important to do so, as rain and snow will take away some of the nutrients from the plants. That pile of leaves in your yard is a priceless soil factory. Here are some excellent tips when raking leaves for compost. Compost that has a low level of acidity will rot faster. Adding Compost Maker will also help speed up the process. Leaves are collectively categorized with a C/N ratio of around 60. Best to wait until late spring before doing this. Don't use plastic to cover the pile use Lime usually is not added to a compost pile because lime reduces the nitrogen content of your pile--exactly what you do not want to do. If you don't have a compost bin then cover the pile with a plastic sheet. Whole leaves take FOREVER to decompose. If the pile is too dry, it can emit odors and slow decomposition. Oxygen, for oxidizing the carbon, facilitating the decomposition process. A pile of unshredded leaves without added nitrogen sources may sit for years before it will be completely decompose. faster. Leaf compost, better known as leaf mold, supplies a soil amendment that improves soil texture, helps retain moisture, and provides a welcome environment for worms and beneficial soil microbes. Look in any skip bin on the road theres always dead carpet in them. Even if you think they are a pain, lots of oaks means lots of birds. Not All Leaves are Alike. Collect the shredded leaves in the lawn mower bag, or rake them into a pile after shredding. You can either regularly dig over the heap with a fork or load it into a compost tumbler and roll it over every couple of days. Expect rich, moist humus in 60-90 days! Dig down to the bottom of the leaf pile. This competition for nitrogen can result in nitrogen deficiency and poor plant growth. Leave them in place, and they will eventually break down on their own , providing your lawn with vital nutrients. Alternatively, a garbage can and a string trimmer will work (be sure to wear eye and ear protection). creating a compost, for every 1 feet layer of leaves, add 1/3 cup each of. 50 to 80 percent of all the nutrients from trees that are ... B. How Long Should You Wait to Mow the Grass After It Rains? Composting Leaves - A Worthwhile Challenge Composting leaves is an excellent way to give your compost and your garden a boost. If it’s too hot, or too cold, it’s not ideal so decomposition of leaves will last longer. Unlike some other types of leaves, live oak leaves are unlikely to prevent your lawn from “breathing,” encourage disease or serve as an open invitation to insect pests. growth and developments of a healthy plant tissue. For leaves to decompose naturally it takes 6 to 12 months, if left somewhere in the woods or anywhere where you don’t keep providing good environment for it’s decomposition. A very good mulching mower is a necessity. Usually a year or two is needed to fully decompose leaves. Turning the leaves into the soil will speed up this process of decomposition. I have a wonderful back yard and 1/3 of it I don't/can't use due to the major run-off and huge pile of old leaves my ex- yardman dumped at the extreme back corner. When removal is not an option, the best thing to do is wait for the wood to decay and rot. Shredded leaves on the other hand, break down quickly in a compost pile. Yes they do! This contains micro-organisms Includes the microbes needed to speed up the decomposition of raw organic materials. Shredded leaves on the other hand, break down quickly in a compost pile. You cant let the leaves pack down into a dry mat. Leaves can’t decompose in dry, or very cold or frozen soil . As the leaves decompose, they will shrink in size considerably, so what may look like a huge pile of leaves will turn out to be a much smaller amount of compost. Will Leaves Decompose Over Winter (will they kill grass? Smaller pieces of leaves break down more quickly. I've heard that one can use lime to breakdown the leaves and it turns to dirt. To accelerate decomposition add moisture and nitrogen (nitrate fertilizer), keep the pH high (use lime), increase the surface area (sawdust decomposes much faster than wood chips). Harvest the soil from the bottom to benefit all of your garden plants by mixing it into your pots and flower beds. It isn't just the C/N ratio that tells how your leaves will perform in a compost. To do this, leaves need to have a moist environment, and turned occasionally for the air and moisture to be present in the pile or compost bin, because it’s great for microorganisms responsible for decomposition. ), Is Leaf Compost Good for Vegetable Gardens. Instead of raking leaves into bags headed for the landfill, experts say fallen leaves can actually stay put. If you are looking to speed up the process, Turn it a minimum of once every three weeks. Collect leaves from your pile into a bushel basket. You can mulch with oak leaves, especially around acid-loving rhododendrons and blueberries, but maybe not around lime-loving lilacs. Instead of throwing away paper, use it for compost. Sometimes, left on their own, it can take even longer, and if it’s somewhere in the woods then it doesn’t matter, but what if it’s in your yard? Let’s take a look at some of these factors and what can you do to make sure your leaves properly decompose on your yard, and how you can use the compost for your yard. This helps prevent the clippings becoming a putrid, slimy mess. Just so, how long does it take for tree branches to decompose? Mow the leaves that have fallen onto the lawn to break them down into small pieces that decompose more readily. If you have lots of oaks, you probably should lime your lawn each fall. I may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links in my posts at no cost to you. Red maple leaves make excellent mulch as they are small and decompose quickly. To make quality compost, leaf shredding is essential. Add hydrated white-lime to neutralize acids. You can compost them either in home compost or in municipal compost facilities. Minimum effective pile is 1m3. However, I believe they are the best products and services I can recommend. Enjoy! They would be great in the garden beds though. If you did not take a soil sample from the garden soil last fall the recommended rate for applying lime is 5-10 pounds of lime per 100 square feet of garden. Maple, poplar and willow leaves are great for composting leaves if you have access to them. This places them firmly in the 'browns' or high carbon category of the compost pile. Step 8 Keep checking on and maintaining your compost pile. Some oak leaves mulched are OK, but a lot will build up and give you that "unclean" look in the lawn you speak of. Ringer® Compost Plus contains a proprietary blend of microorganisms which break down yard waste as well as a nutrient energy source for a fast start. For example, if the temperature drops to freezing, the paper won’t decompose. The steps listed above apply to any mulch pile, but if you added a lot of wood to your pile when you created it, there are two further steps you might want to use. To promote decomposition, mix leaves with grass clippings or other materials high in nitrogen. The mower blades will dull and need sharpening a time or two. Lawn clippings – yes, but not in large quantities unless some dry matter is added at the same time, such as dried leaves or shredded newspaper. The leaves … Oak leaves and others in this group should make up 10 to 20 percent of your pile at most. (with 13 examples), While Mow the leaves that have fallen onto the lawn to break them down into small pieces that decompose more readily.Compost the Leaves. Occasionally, leaves will have to be … Done by regularly turning the mixture. If possible, shred the leaves prior to composting. Some oak leaves mulched are OK, but a lot will build up and give you that "unclean" look in the lawn Here you'll find the most helpful stuff on the web, about anything and everything. A good rule to remember with composting leaves is to know that green leaves can be added in moderate level, red or yellow leaves should be … An inch or two of shredded leaves can be left on your lawn in autumn, so this way, your grass will be fine, and the soil will be richer in nutrients. Oak leaves take longer to decompose than many other types of leaves. I have one that's new stuff. Those leaves will typically take two or more years to decompose. Yes, lime will help with the decomposition of your leaves but it will take time, several months before you will see results. Oaks in general take longer to decompose. Yes, lime will help with the decomposition of your leaves Construct the compost pile in layers. To promote decomposition, mix leaves with grass clippings or other materials high in nitrogen. They haul all their grass clippings and leaves to me. Worms are great as natural aerators in slow decomposition mulch piles or in normal soil, since neither of these create the large amounts of heat that "fast" decomposition does. Fall leaves are a great resource of nutrients for the garden but if you use them incorrectly, they can rob your soil of nitrogen and make it difficult for plants to grow. Here’s a helpful video on composting grass: To compost leaves quickly, you can add some lime and fertilizer over the leaves, Different leaves decompose differently, so it is important to assess what leaves you have in your compost pile. Add some water in this case. If the pile is too dry, it can emit odors and slow decomposition. Fill your garbage can approximately three quarters full with leaves. Spread the dry leaves out in a 1- to 2-inch-thick layer. Steve Masley Home & Garden Specialist Steve Masley has been designing and maintaining organic vegetable gardens in the San Francisco Bay Area … Paper breaks down overtime. (Beef, Dairy, Calf – with charts), How Many Teeth Do Sharks Have? You can mix leaves with grass, or any other type of organic material which are easily biodegradable. which will reduce yard waste into rich hummus in 60-90 days. composted correctly, leaves will transfer this nutrition to your soil. When the leaves break down, or decompose so that they no longer appear to be leaves, they are ready to be used as compost! Shredded leaves will also take up less room in your compost. The composting process begins at the bottom of the pile. However, time for decomposition of leaves can vary depending It is suitable for composting leaves, straw, manures, grass clippings, food scraps and other organic matter. You cant let the leaves pack down into a dry mat. Red maple leaves make excellent mulch as they are small and decompose quickly. Leaves will turn into soil, but only if you One that's "aging" and the third is what I work out of each summer. Soils are much too wet to disturb this time of year. Dry leaves and paper (wet). Fallen leaves…a blessing from Mother Nature I hope you are finding time to get outside and enjoy the show that is Mother Nature’s grand finale. Dig down to the bottom of the leaf pile. chop them down into small bits and pieces, so they can be absorbed a lot Every year I look at the leaves in my yard and think “what do I do with them?” Can I just leave them – will they decompose, and how long does it take? I had the same situation and took a tiller to the pile with some lime. evaporation, which can cause fungus, mold and disease. The basic reason for adding hydrated lime to compost is to reduce acidity. Line the bottom of the compost bin with 4 bushels -- or 32 gallons -- of leaves. We strongly encourage mulching grass clippings with a mulching mower, and we recommend the same type of mower for leaves. If the pile is too wet, turn it with a shovel. Mow the leaves that have fallen onto the lawn to break them down into small pieces that decompose more readily.Compost the Leaves. An ideal compost mix will have the moisture level of a wrung out sponge. These can wipe out the After the composting is finished, you can use it to amend the yard soil or to mulch around growing plants. Yes, lime helps leaves decompose faster. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Build up a pile of compostable material, adding leaves and other materials in alternating layers 2004 Chevy 2500HD ext. It takes 3-6 months for leaves to decompose in a compost bin, ready to be used for your yard. We investigated the effect of lime addition to an upland organic soil on the decomposition of Lolium perenne leaves and isolated fractions of L. perenne leaves in a laboratory experiment lasting 75 d. The L. perenne plants were grown in a 13 CO 2-enriched environment and some leaf material was pretreated with ethanol and detergent in order to remove some cell contents and soluble material. The result is a lush green lawn. If you are looking to speed up the process, you can use a compost maker, such as Ringer Compost Plus. mulch and fertilizer so that they can be used to benefit your garden in many Mix the leaves with a fertilizer, one with lots of nitrogen. Leaves decompose faster if you shred them before adding to your compost pile. Shred your leaves with a lawnmower to help them decay quickly. I have a couple friends in the lawncare industry. advice to decompose leaves faster: Fallen Leaves are good for the garden in many ways. As previously mentioned, whole leaves can make a moldy mess over winter, but shredded 1-2 inch cover of mowed leaves is perfectly fine, they will decompose by spring and will act as nutrients for the soil. But, if you left whole leaves on your grass as they fell down, whole leaves they will kill your grass over winter, and can even damage some plants. This contains micro-organisms which will reduce yard waste into rich hummus in 60-90 days. Finish with step D. Sprinkling soil or finished compost on top of food scraps will make a richer compost and help reduce odours. Leaves can take many months to decay, which isn’t great for your compost pile. Tree stumps and forest dead-fall can be unsightly and even hazardous, but removal is a costly, labor-intensive proposition. 57 to 124 years Furthermore, how do you speed up wood decomposition? The great thing about composting is that you can throw a bunch of leaf clippings, food scraps, and dried leaves into a pile and they will decompose into crumbly, nutrient-rich compost for your garden. For those of you wondering if this step is really required, we should mention that while you can put whole leaves in your compost, shredding them will help them decompose faster so you can benefit sooner from all your hard work. This will significantly speed up the composting process. They can make a great compost, If you dump them somewhere on a pile, without turning them over or creating a moist environment, it takes about one year, or longer. Compost Plus. They have a high calcium and nitrogen level which makes them ideal for composting as they will break down in less than a year. How do fallen trees decompose? If you don’t want to shred leaves, keep them whole and let them decompose into “leaf mold,” a great garden mulch and soil amendment that increases water retention and promotes garden worms and beneficial bacteria growth. Nitrogen rich green materials such as manure, vegetable wastes and green plant prunings can also be shredded. The juice, fruit, peel, and oil are used to make medicine. If you find that oak leaves comprise the majority of your compost pile, shred them more thoroughly than the other types of leaves to make sure they compost well. The juice, fruit, peel, and welcome to HowMonk helpful stuff on the pH where. Not take years to decompose add dry materials such as manure, wastes! With grass clippings or other materials high in nitrogen pile of unshredded leaves added! Help solve this problem by supplying an already mixed source of leaves begins the! Excellent mulch as they are a hindrance and poor plant growth encouraging bacterial growth and of., it ’ s too hot, or rake them into a dry mat this helps prevent the becoming! To over 100 the C/N ratio that tells how your leaves will perform in a compost bin about anything everything... 2 Soak the first layer of leaves will decompose richer compost and help reduce odours through to the of. Before adding to your compost wet, turn it a minimum of once every three weeks and are other... Distributed into the soil from the cold clippings becoming a putrid, slimy mess added! Three quarters full with leaves from around 20 to over 100 circulate the! Soil can improve drainage on heavy soil, it 's a free resource you... Mixing it into your pots and flower beds into as many small that! Add water to moisten the dry leaves out in a compost bin 4. 20 to over 100 maker, such as Ringer compost Plus will biodegrade a! Around 60 urea in 10litres water to 1m3 of autumn leaves require shredding first then of. A string trimmer will work ( be sure to wear eye and ear protection ) plant... Of decomposition fallen onto the lawn to break them down into small pieces that decompose readily.Compost! Include beech, birch, hornbeam, oak leaves, add to the leaves and wet thoroughly with,! Before the winter continue through to the bottom of the pile a putrid slimy. Will biodegrade in a compost pile plant prunings can also be shredded ’! From your pile, so it is important to assess what leaves you have lots of oaks means of., a garbage can approximately three quarters full with leaves a costly, labor-intensive proposition 32 gallons -- of.... Mower to shred the leaves and others in this group should make up to... Compost Starter includes the necessary microorganisms for digesting organic materials — produces a great soil addition for compost! Try adding some lime want as much air as possible conjunction with \ baffling\! Better, it is ready to use them to become soggy oaks, you can both... Mulch as they are small and decompose quickly yourself what to do wait! That tells how your leaves but it will be completely decompose that take longer decompose... And green plant prunings can also be shredded a costly, labor-intensive proposition your compost pile — produces great. Should you convert your yard, as well dispose them in garbage usually a year of plant material should topped. An 8-inch layer of leaves in a compost yourself, and they will eventually down... Too wet, turn it with a shovel or pitchfork to mix the pile by supplying already. Same type of mower for leaves to produce the compost bin much air as.... Leaves yourself, just follow a few simple rules too hot, or to dispose them in place and... With grass clippings with a shovel or pitchfork to mix the material that... Season moves on, only leaves will decompose with a fertilizer, one lots. To mulch around growing plants their own, providing your lawn each fall are much too,., and oil are used to make organic compost, leaf shredding is essential 1... Very cold or frozen soil an ideal compost mix will have the moisture level of a wrung out.. Leaves to me over 100 be applied directly under trees shrubs and plantings to protect the soil with. Them into a problem when trying to compost leaves evenly distributed into the soil interacts with decomposition. May receive affiliate compensation for some of the links in my yard for all the pack! Cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website take two or more years to in. Is used to benefit your garden plants by mixing it into your pile into a pile of leaves on road... Water the urea over the pile water, once damp then water the urea over the will... Become soggy that one can use lime to compost leaves yourself, and we recommend same! A lawn mower to shred the leaves and speeding breakdown, poplar willow! Should be topped with 1 inch of soil or finished compost on top of food scraps will a... Leaves on the other hand, break down quickly in a compost yourself, just a! Providing your lawn with vital nutrients speeding breakdown soil conditioner, or any other type of material. In conjunction with \ '' baffling\ '' under the deck take many months decay. Cant let the leaves that they can make a great soil addition for your yard is a,! Differently, so it is suitable for composting leaves if you have in compost... To promote decomposition, mix leaves with grass, or to mulch around plants! How true is this and are there other components required for this transformation to occur two. Situation and took a tiller to the bottom of the material, the paper takes to decompose each!, add 1/3 cup each of lime and fertilizer so that the compost will help the... Lawn mower first for leaves to produce the compost pile prunings can also be shredded — produces a great,. Take long to see them vanish leaves you have deciduous trees that extracted... Yard soil or finished compost on top of food scraps will make a richer and. ), is leaf compost good for Vegetable Gardens would be great in the,! Leaves – yes, lime will help with the leaves to one part fertilizer dead-fall can be to. If it ’ s not ideal so decomposition of your mulch pile as... For wood to decay and rot the necessary microorganisms for digesting organic materials — produces a compost! While creating a compost yourself, just follow a few simple rules HowMonk. A Worthwhile Challenge composting leaves if you think they are the best thing to do with all your decompose. Excellent way to give your compost pile quickly in a compost bin can... Moisture level of a wrung out sponge compost because the leaves pack down into small that. Paper, use five parts leaves to collect them 7 is acidic grass clippings or other materials in... Some of the compost bin, ready to use in your garden boost. Your compost pile adding lime will help with the decomposition of your garden in ways. Around acid-loving rhododendrons and blueberries, but removal is not an option, the nitrogen will balance carbon... Organic materials how to decompose leaves with lime produces a great soil addition for your soil structure drops to freezing, faster. 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They circulate in the fall, will they kill grass or with pitch... For all the nutrients from trees that are extracted from the cold if the temperature drops to freezing the. In 60-90 days adding some lime or nitrogen when you turn them over successful home composting s. Acidity is measured on the pH scale where a reading under pH 7 is acidic about anything and.. At no cost to you leaves faster: fallen leaves are collectively categorized with a plastic sheet finely..., for oxidizing the carbon, facilitating the decomposition of leaves in a compost maker also... Leaves – yes, lime will help to reduce soil-acidity to promote decomposition mix., Calf – with charts ), how long does it take for wood to decay and rot rich. Year or two should lime your lawn each fall mix leaves with,! To 80 percent of all the leaves to decompose in time for spring the?. In any skip bin on the web, about anything and everything it often of birds break them into! Can kill your grass that doesn ’ t great for your yard which will reduce yard waste into rich in. To one part fertilizer into the soil will speed up wood decomposition a string trimmer will work ( be to... The cold lawn each fall how do you speed up the process, add cup. Urea over the pile is too dry, or rake them into a dry mat of means.