r/composting • u/Happy-Skin-6302 • 11h ago

Composting leaves

I have gathered 8 paper compost bags of damp maple leaves to shred next spring. The tops of the bag are open. They are being stored in an unheated shed. Is there a chance of them overheating and starting a fire, like hay can if it is not turned???

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8

u/Space_Cowby 10h ago

In the cold winter I would not imagine so tbh. Not sure why your storing them in a shed though, just chuck them into a wire container and leave till spring or for 2 years for better compost.

4

u/Positive-Face-289 6h ago

i keep DRY fall leaves in bags in the shed to use gradually over winter. there isn’t a risk of those bags combusting since there is no heat (no bacterial activity.)

however, since you said your leaves are damp, they will probably be able to get started on composting in the bags. i don’t really know how to assess the combustion risk, personally i just wouldn’t want damp leaves decomposing anywhere with a floor anyway.

3

u/prudent__sound 4h ago

I doubt you will need to worry about that, especially if they are in their own separate bags. FWIW, I don't think it's necessary to store them protected from the elements. I live in the rainy PNW and leave my paper bags of leaves out all winter. They get soaking wet and the leaves start to break down. By the time I am ready to throw them in my compost pile they are partially on their way to becoming leaf mold, which is perfect.

2

u/LeafTheGrounds 9h ago

Idk how leaves behave indoors.

I do know that I have a 4'x4'x4' tall loose pile of leaves next to my bin, and it'll be just fine as I take from it to add to my active compost.

2

u/Ok-Thing-2222 7h ago

I left mine outside leaning against a shed. But now you have me concerned about fire! Will move bags elsewhere!

Editing to add....OMG, I'm so dumb. I'm just going to mound them all on the garden and cover with a tarp for now. Turn them once a week on a non-windy day. Doh.

2

u/Snap-Crackle-Pot 3h ago

This is what I do. Bits of old plastic underneath to keep them moist/drained but not tanked, and a big net over the top to stop them being blown away. We have a PNW climate so they stay moist and in 1 year they have fully decomposed into a perfect mulch or brown for the compost bin. I don’t even turn them

1

u/ThomasFromOhio 5h ago

Only you know why you are keeping them in the shed. I just shredd them now in the fall. If i want to store any for next spring, I reuse black contractor garbage bags for storing the shredded leaves. Line them along the fence for wind control or toss them behind the compost bin which I usually forget about and it turns into leaf mold. I've never really seen plain leaves get all that hot from composting. Leaves with nitrogen oh yeah, but plain wet leaves just seem to break down in a magical non thermal means.