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How to Compost Autumn Leaves. Composting autumn leaves requires a little knowledge of chemistry
and a little work. Recycling the leaves into new soil is a great way to keep leaves out
of the landfill, or leaf ash out of the air. You will need Autumn leaves Rake Lawn mower
Bag Compost pile and chemical balance. Step 1. Wait until the leaves have started to turn
brown before you rake them up. If you have a lawn mower or a leaf shredder, shred the
leaves before raking them. Both of these techniques help the leaves to compost more quickly. Step
2. Place the leaves in a burlap bag and set it near the compost pile. Step 3. Add a few
handfuls of leaves from the bag to the compost pile at a time. If you add too many at once,
they mat together and slow down the composting process. Step 4. Maintain a balance between
carbon-rich and nitrogen-rich materials in the compost pile. Brown leaves are rich in
carbon. Kitchen scraps (not meat), fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, and grass
clippings are rich in nitrogen. The nutrient-rich compost pile should consist of two-thirds
carbon-rich materials and one-third nitrogen-rich materials. As nitrogen-rich materials are
added to the compost pile, toss a few leaves on top. Step 5. Build a 4-foot diameter by
3-foot high leaf-only compost pile if you have too many leaves to put in the main compost
pile. Place a layer of soil between each foot of leaves. Keep the pile damp, but covered
so that it does not become waterlogged. Leaf compost is best used as organic soil amendment
and conditioner rather than as nutrient-rich compost. Did you know In fall, cork-like layers
of cells between the leaves and the stems in deciduous trees block the production of
the green chlorophyll, making the leaves turn yellow or red.