Pro tip: My old way of getting rid of leaves was a total mess.

I used to spend hours every fall in my yard in Boise, bagging up all the leaves and putting them out for the trash truck. Last year, my neighbor saw me and said, 'You know you're just throwing away free dirt, right?' and showed me how to make a simple leaf pile in the corner of my yard. Now I have a big pile that turns into compost for my garden, and I don't waste any plastic bags or fuel for pickup. Has anyone else found a good spot in their yard for a compost pile?

3 comments

3 Comments

ruby_wright21d ago

Oh man, that's such a good point! I read somewhere that those leaf bags can take forever to break down in a landfill because they don't get the air they need. My spot is behind the shed where it gets some sun, and I just mix in some grass clippings now and then to help it heat up. It's crazy how much good soil you can make for free.

lee1821d ago

So you're adding grass clippings to get it hot. Does that actually keep the rats and raccoons away, or do they just avoid it while it's actively cooking?

sean_barnes2421d ago

Free dirt" is a nice idea, but that big pile in the corner just looks messy to me. I tried it once and it attracted so many bugs and rodents it wasn't worth the hassle. Bagging it up might use plastic, but it gets the job done fast and my yard stays clean. Don't you worry about pests with an open pile like that?