Too much carbon??

In the fall I mow over the Sycamore leaves and put them in our Veggie garden along with Grass clippings that have been in the chicken yard. It works pretty good but not as good as I expect. could I have too much carbon and if so what to do about it?

Have you considered putting the clippings/leaves in a damp pile to break down first?

Oh YA! I compost using the Chicken poo, but due to the shear numbers of leaves I can't do all. In the past I would rototill them into the garden by spring all would be fine. I don't know if the garden plot is reached it's limit or the mild winter and lack or rain this year here in Oregon is the reason that the leaves didn't decompose this year?.

I guess my question is what to add to speed up decomposition and improve the soil? Micro Rhizomes?

Chopped up leaves rot faster, so first, either run 'em over with your mower or chop 'em in a trash can with your weed-whacker ... while wearing eye protection of course.

http://davesgarden.com/tools/tags/tag.php?tag=compost+troubleshooting (browse these)

http://compost.css.cornell.edu/OnFarmHandbook/apa.taba1.html (add stuff with a low C:N ratio, like manure or bloodmeal or spent coffee grounds)

http://medford.craigslist.org/search/?areaID=216&subAreaID=&query=manure&catAbbreviation=sss (manure available in the Medford area)

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/497/ (*gasp* HERESY!!1!!!eleventy!!)

This message was edited Apr 8, 2010 2:27 PM

I did that before I put them in the garden, then rototilled them in.

This message was edited Apr 10, 2010 8:22 AM

Hi Rick! I am east of Seattle, with the climate being cooler & wetter.
I noticed that the leaves did not break down as fast over this past winter, too. Back in February I started using a drench of feed-grade molasses into the beds after the leaves had been mixed in. This has worked well, and is an inexpensive way to push decomposition.

Wow!! Thank You! That's what I was looking for, I suspect that I can get that from the feed store, right?
You think that it is too late to give it a good drenching?
Thanks again

Never too late Rick!
Docgipe (posts on the soil/compost forum) contributed this idea. I wish I could recall where I first read his explanation, sorry - perhaps he'll jump in & retell.
I use 1 cup molasses per 2 gallons h20. Feed the microherd!
Molasses in this form is available at most feed stores - the local one here sells it in a LARGE pail for about $20, unless I am remembering incorrectly. Wonderful stuff. This is something that can be used year-round in the pile. I also use it between plantings - I tend to harvest the annual weeds & shove them back under the soil there. So far, i have been happy with the results. You are in a warmer climate than mine, so perhaps you'll see faster decompostion. I have very plump worms.