WWIII Victory Garden: Tom Bartels Shares the Secret to Leaf Compost

Rich fertile soil produces more nutritious fruits and vegetables. You can create amazing mulch, compost, and leaf mold using a free resource and very little work as if you understand the secret.
In this video, Tom Bartels from GrowFoodWell.com shows us the secret to producing incredible compost using leaves that are typically disposed of in landfills every year. Best of all, Tom's method takes very little labor to produce this black gold.
To learn more about biointensive Victory Gardens visit the post written by Tom Bartels:
Biointensive Victory Gardens: Higher Yields with Less Work
theprovidentpr...
You can watch Tom’s free video workshop at training.growf...
It is a great course for the beginner as well as someone who has been gardening for years like me. You may also be interested in learning more at The Provident Prepper with some of these great articles.
How to Create a Survival Food Forest in Your Own Backyard
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Inexpensive Root Cellars: 13 Literally Cool Ideas to Chill With
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Chillin’ in Our DIY Buried Freezer Root Cellar
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Poor Man’s Greenhouse - A Guide to Winter Seed Sowing
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Thanks for being part of the solution!
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[@daisycocoa2557]

I always toss a thick layer of old dry leaves in to the bottom of all my plantings in the ground and potted. Works great for years.

[@westonthatcher1348]

Okay provident preppers, I do many things not so good but I do put my grass clippings and I bury my kitchen waste. So I do a little bit right. Oh, when it rains and I see worms on the cement, I pick up the wiggly things and give them a home in my garden. We are all learning.

[@bearrivermama6414]

Wow. Neat! I’ve never been able to keep my compost hot all winter. I can have fabulous,hot piles all summer and fall but when temperatures dip sub zero for weeks on end my piles freeze. They heat back up come spring but I can’t beat the -40* F grip😝. We NEVER haul any yard waste off our property. I even compost my tree limbs and bark from cutting firewood. It’s much much slower than grass clippings, leaves, and kitchen/garden waste but it does make an amazing product. Sometimes I’ll throw a little grass clippings and/or chicken poo in to expedite the breakdown of the woody material. I produce about a dump truck load of compost every year and save back a healthy portion of leaves for mulch. Just go into the forest and inspect the forest floor, those leaves are amazing at suppressing weeds, retaining moisture, and populating your soil with all kinds of good things. It’s almost like Gods design is perfect 😉🤗

[@micahteich2089]

Sounds like you've watched the "Return to Eden" video made by the no till gardener up in the pacific northwest. Great info with intertwined with scriptural references. God Bless.

[@bearrivermama6414]

@@micahteich2089 I have not seen the video you are referencing. But I think perhaps I should. Sounds like it’s something I might enjoy. I had a grandmother who composted and I watched her . Sometimes we make something simple and natural too complicated and it can be discouraging. Charles Downing (not positive on the spelling) has great videos on composting, make a pile, stir, wait. Simple. Thanks for the tip on th video. I will have to look into that. God bless!

[@jimphillips6960]

Thanks for sharing this, even though I've been making and using compost in my gardens for over 40 years there was something I'd not heard before. The benefit of composting in such a way to shift the mycelium to bacteria ratio to be close to 1:1, which will reduce the weed population. Great to know.

[@Utah_Mike]

I have done this sense moving to Utah. Neighbors ❤️ that I clean up there leaves/yards. I try to add 12” of shredded leaves per year.

[@OffgridVictory]

Leaves are great 👍🏼. I live too rural to have someone just drop off leaves 🍁 or mulch, but if you live in suburbia this would be a great option.

[@meanqkie2240]

I’m away from home this fall, caring for an elder in-law. I have permission to start a compost pile, so I loaded the leaves off the driveway, add my daily coffee grounds, kitchen scraps, egg shells, and occasional collected urine (no meds!) to the leaf pile. Covered with hail screen and cattle panel to prevent scavengers and blowing. Fortunately we are getting a little moisture. Will probably run the push mower over the pile before long and turn it. Will dig down a little to add some dirt into the pile as I re-heap it. This will probably go on top of the soil this year for anything I manage to plant, but will start another pile and collect all I can from the neighborhood for the coming year. Can get a little chicken shoo from my local egg lady to add for the bacteria benefit. Will try to locate worms and get a bin going along with the pile. A few greens going in pots on the porch, because there is no fence and this yard in a packed neighborhood is the size of a postage stamp after all the little bldgs that were added. Regrowing my cabbage cores and celery hearts in the empty flower pots.😁

[@jm1979mx]

That's all goodness The worms will come naturally you'll see and let it get wet it needs moisture rainfall or a bucket of water if it's dry. The worms need moisture 👍🌲♥️ Add electric culture wire antenna

[@jm1979mx]

Wy@ man? I'm in Maryland.

[@derrickkissoon8891]

Thank you, Sir.

[@scottbaruth9041]

I bypass the composting part, and every fall put about 6 inches of leaves on the garden, zero turn shread them down in place, and water the garden or wait for a good rain. Then till them in. You must till about 3 times through the winter or it may be a little rough in spring, but nonetheless I have wonderful vegetables without ever adding commercial fertilizer.

[@maureenbourassa5063]

Thank you for the video. Wonderful information. I was too young when my grandparents had the garden.

[@wearetheresistanceprepping1883]

We have a designated area that we make our own compost but many landfill areas here give away once a year what they call black gold. Most of this is junk, it's contaminated with debris from construction sites with scrapes. I have even seen stryafom in it. Make sure you know what's in yours if this service is available.

[@AnnBearForFreedom]

Doggonnit, youre in my head AGAIN, lol. Last spring, I cobbled together an 8 foot (-ish) diameter enclosure with green metal tee posts and chicken wire, and have been dumping leaves (mostly from my neighbor's trees over the fence--I'll take 'em!) and kitchen veggie scraps into the corral. Zero rain (and I do mean zero, as in no rain), so its not as wet as it should be, but its a good 4 foot tall mound. I'll give it a good soaking and then buy in some wigglers for it. Thanks for the guidance!

[@dubrd5926]

The best equipment I ever purchased was a used commercial diesel powered mower with a blower and hamper to collect grass clippings or leaves. It has a hydraulic dump so now I am able to collect all the leaves that fall from the poplars and other trees on my property and put them in piles right where I will use them.

[@scottbaruth9041]

You're right on that. Im similar with a rear discharge zero turn mower pulling an Ohio Steel lawn sweeper. Fantastic for mulching out your vegetables using your own grass off your property, and you can dump right close to where you need to place the mulch.

[@justmefolks1863]

I live in the woods and use very little of the land, most of it I let the leaves lay and have a nice dark soil. I gather some leaves for the animals (makes great bedding. We also have raised beds and used to empty 1-2 beds every years and add a thick layer of leaves in the bottom and put the soil back. We would alternated through a dozen or more beds before getting back to the first one. Works great!

[@cajunlady4893]

I bought a bag of wheat shavings for mulch at a feed a tractor & feed store. Package label said to use for chicken nests.

[@robertcook9264]

However, as with any off property input, you have to think about herbicides/ pesticides in the product. Commercially in the US, wheat is treated with roundup. Which can become inert on contact with soil, and also if it site for a few seasons to break down.​@@cajunlady4893

[@paulsmith1411]

Great way to show us

[@ebradley2306]

I have a crazy amount of worms in my kitchen compost pile and worm bin so will be adding them to the leaf mould leaves. I already add coffee grounds to the leaves to give them a boost breaking down.

[@jm1979mx]

We have a 10x12 compost pile under a big ole red maple and silver maple, also have 2 compost piles out the back porch for regular veg scraps and citrus kitchen scraps 6' x 6' I used kit compost for our garden vegs and the leaf compost for our fruit trees. Very straight forward video

[@janicejurgensen2122]

Thank you this was inspiring and educational!

[@TheProvidentPrepper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jerriscollins-ruth9019]

Great video. Thank you.

[@shirleywilliams2448]

Great video, I need to get going in my composting

[@HighGradeTexan]

im down with them soil nerds.. Your On Point Yo Layer in some peanut hay soaked with mollases. minerals and the sugars input both macro and micro inputs

[@cindybroadus3277]

Got it! Thanks

[@marygallagher3428]

Lots of great information, thanks!

[@curtunderwood8039]

do you recommend turning the leaf piles during the 1-1.5 year period to get the dry top leaves mixed in ?

[@r37l36]

No just let it be. Water if it gets very dry otherwise is self sufficient

[@lyndysimpson1272]

Hi I love your video and your education teaching is wonderful I'm new to gardening I know nothing but I'm worried about all this nutrition from the leaves is that not going to grow a whole area of weeds and then I'd have to go out and pull all those weeds out of the leaves that sounds like a lot of work but I don't see any weeds while you're sitting. could you explain about weeds growing in the compost area please. thank you thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. I want to be a successful Gardener. I just want to spend the rest of my life learning and growing my own food and being self-sufficient thank you❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@rickcartersr5265]

Using comfrey

[@thefishfin-atic7106]

Question - lots of people spray herbicides on their lawns under their trees; with the rain, won't this stuff make its way down and be uptaken by the tree roots, and in turn, get into the leaves?

[@bradlafferty]

Thank you, very useful info. I will contact my arborist for leaves. My country collects leaves via roadside vacuum, then contracts their composting out to a business, who then sells the leaf mulch. Good business if you can do it.

[@garyharris4008]

Was going to suggest to suggest tarps as well. Worms don't live in 90 degrees; they migrate to 70 degrees. So as explained is great for future gardening plot, because there all ready worms in the soil. So how do I access this organic matter that city people don't compost?

[@sandrawestring]

What do you do with the garden vines and plants at the end of the growing season? Can they be composted?

[@albowrx]

Of course they can.

[@bevami1]

What about tree seeds in the leaves?

[@rahneclark1902]

Whom do you call to get the free leaves from please and thank you ❤️😊. Thanks for the video

[@markorgill7806]

Is there anything leaf farms around south SLC?

[@jackgoldman1]

Some very basic Hellen and Scott Nearing information, authors of "The Good Life". Read it.

[@valoriesmith8875]

I have not wanted leaves from neighbors as they use weed killers in their lawns around the trees. So it would be safe to use them?

[@valoriesmith8875]

@@TheProvidentPrepper Thank you for your quick response. If it works for you, I will try it. Sure need those extra leaves.

[@melvi1234]

In 22014 I composted (or buried in soil) food waste including meat for about a year and have not touched it since. . Do you think that pile could be used as compost this year?

[@steveshelton5884]

Can manure be used instead of "dirt"?

[@jimbryson1795]

Adding oxygen will give you results in about 9-10 months

[@rogerboeve4658]

Does adding coffee grinds to the pile add nitrogen to the carbon dominant leaves?

[@davidisaacson9328]

Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen...plus worms LOVE them! So yes it does.

[@daisycocoa2557]

My local groundhog eats all the weeds in my lawn and the wild turkeys eat all the ticks. : )

[@marvinfrace6336]

How do I sync my iPhone to my iPad?

[@rosewood9839]

Will this kill crab grass? How soon can you replant afterwards?

[@cousinsoutfitters5795]

What company did you get 10 yards for 265 dollars that is such a good deal for quality composte

[@cousinsoutfitters5795]

@@TheProvidentPrepper who is this local company

[@nolashiflett635]

Where do you get your worms?

[@tonylovatto8776]

Your voices are abrasive with ear buds… when the video went to Tom Bartel, his voice was smooth and easy. Something to look into maybe.

[@wilsontaylor234]

Tom mentions that he has a pile of shredded leaves to the side, but doesn't mention how they are different from whole leaves. Do they break down faster and if so, how much faster?

[@apiecemaker1163]

Yes the shredded leaves just have a head start from the whole leaves. Both work, but the shredded leaves are just a step ahead. Hope that helps.

[@wilsontaylor234]

@@apiecemaker1163 Thanks. Any idea how much faster?

[@apiecemaker1163]

@@wilsontaylor234 no sir. If I had to guess, I’d say six months. They need to break down before stirring into your garden but they can be put on top as a mulch and they’ll finish breaking down and also keep the weeds down and keep the soil more cool and moist. I would then think by the next growing season, they could be turned into the soil and fresh leaves added to the top. My garden sure has improves since adding leaves.

[@wilsontaylor234]

@@apiecemaker1163 I've been using shredded leaves as mulch for a couple of years, but haven't been making leaf mold. Last fall, I had a bag of shredded leaves left that I had not used as mulch, so I added some water to the bag and saturated the leaves well. Then I poked some holes in the bottom of the bag to let the excess water out and left the top open to collect rain water. After about 4 months, the leaves look like used tea leaves. I'm hoping they will break down some more before I use them in the spring.

[@apiecemaker1163]

@@wilsontaylor234 that sounds like a great way to break them down. The bags probably help keep,them moist . Happy gardening 👩‍🌾🥬

[@cajunlady4893]

Where do you get your worms? What kind of worms? I seldom see worms in my soil. I did find one two weeks ago when I was planting a plant. I dug it out with soil. I noticed it was all twisted like a candy cane. Is that normal?

[@veggiemom5]

What about walnut leaves which contain juglone? We have lots of trees on our land but also a number of walnut trees and the leaves get all mixed together as they fall.

[@pennynealeigh6557]

Mostly the English walnut leaves don't seem to have as adverse effect

[@ellenorbjornsdottir1166]

Think "Long Emergency," not WW3. WW3 is likely to be the Long Emergency: a long series of skirmishes fought over petroleum and other natural resources. The Big One is not out of the question, but I doubt it will occur.

[@markorgill7806]

Can you use any leaves...I have grape vines and aspens?

[@user-pc5tp2xs1h]

I avoid eucalyptus litter. I have 2 persimmon trees. One is about 12 feet from a eucalyptus. The fruit on that tree is consistently half the size of the other persimmon tree.

[@TOMMYSURIA]

Yeap, the climate is always changing.

[@pooddescrewch8718]

World War 3 ?

[@denniskemnitz1381]

Have you had problems with poison ivy leaves or vines I gotta stay away from that stuff.

[@naturnaut9093]

"re-purpose" is NOT A VALID WORD. YOU CANNOT CHANGE THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE: YOU CAN ONLY RE-USE or RE-CYCLE.

[@tamararobinson2069]

😃🪱🪱🍂🍁

[@KennyG233]

worms love used coffee grounds , put that on your pile , they will come ... all of them will come

[@DeeDurand-wm4sf]

You lost me with your climate change Is Albert gore your hero???

[@hara3435]

😂z

[@alph8654]

The climate is always changing. Always has and always will. It goes in cycles. BUT Al Gore and others are using it to scare people so they can control us. I fear then not. Also they are using false science in their tactics.

[@pingupenguin2474]

Climate change is an undisputed fact. What caused it, and whether its permanent or not can be discussed but the proof that climate is changed now from the past is there in new weather patterns, average temperature and rainfall readings. Personally I do reckon that polution and the mass burning of fossil fuels and increased consumption from nature are at least part of what is going on. Certainly vast numbers of those who have studied the issue are convinced we humans need to change some of what we do, to avoid worse problems than we already have in the world. We healed the ozone layer by changing what we put in aerosol spray cans, and stopped big smog ( thick fog caused by regular mist mixing with coal fire smoke) across cities by moving to electric fires. I suspect that changing some other habits would help as well.

[@alph8654]

@@pingupenguin2474 Climate change is not an undisputed fact. For from it. But climate does go in cycles and we are going thru one right now. It will change back. Have you ever wondered why the elite that are pushing climate change fly around in private jets, go out on the water in their yachts, drive gas guggling vehicles and buy expensive water front property?

[@GodsChildrenOnEarth]

@@pingupenguin2474Climate changes every day and every season. This whole “Climate Change” from Al Gore and Greta Thumberg is scientifically false and frankly full of 💩. We have only been recording temperature since around 1900. We can’t say that just because we have temperature for about 124 years we have enough data to say that the overall Temperature or climate is changing!!😂 Not even overall World Temperature is changing. I think it’s more appropriate and scientifically correct to say that humans are creating Geo Engineering in an attempt to be God and change the weather! And there is proof about Geo-Engineering; do research.

[@hydrotilling7043]

I don’t see any food growing😂

[@marvinfrace6336]

How do I sync my iPhone to my iPad?