Can you compost laurel leaves

Compost is often mistakenly considered a fertilizer. Of course, it enriches the soil with nutrients, like fertilizers, but unlike them, it does much more: it also improves the soil structure, its stability, in a word, its fertility, and this, in a sustainable way. Compost is therefore, as such, an amendment. And an amendment that is easy to obtain, economical, and simple to use! The good thing about compost is that it has the ability to balance soils: on the one hand, it lightens heavy, clayey soils and improves drainage, and on the other, it allows sandy soils to better retain water and nutrients.

Regular inputs of compost every years thus improve soil structure over the long term, whatever its nature, by restoring the clay-humus complex: the soil is looser, more aerated, its water retention capacity is improved, roots develop better, and nutrients are less washed out by rainwater or watering.

Like other sources of organic matter BRF, green manures… , compost promotes soil life beneficial fungi such as those involved in mycorrhizal symbiosis, microfauna, earthworms…. However, a more living soil is certainly a more fertile, less fragile soil. Compost can be used in many ways, for almost all plants in the garden:. Laurel leaves can be composted, provided they are ground beforehand and do not include branches!

Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Sign up for our newsletter. Facebook 0. Twitter 0. My concern with these plants is when used in compost or as a chipped mulch. I keep Oleander away from the veg and fruit and nut tres in general, but what about others in compost and being used in veg garden eventually I have not come across any articles that may explain the breakdown of toxins in compost.

Did a quick search on Wiki!!! I have never had any bad effects and one big beneficial one and that is from the mulch. I put the chipped and shredded mulch in many beds.

It works better for weed and pest control than anything else I have used. Think about it. The beds where I use the Laurel are the healthiest ones I have. I don't know which genus of Laurel I have but it prevalent in the Pacific Northwest. All over Seattle and Western Washington. Also, I have many families of Robins who return year after year to nest in these Laurels I only trim before or after their nesting season and they seem perfectly fine. Clare hughes. Thank you for posting this information about Laurel.

A friend of mine recently told me it wasn't good to burn or compost Laurel. So yesterday, when we had to brutallly cut back a huge laurel bush in our garden, I decided to Google it to check on the reasons why not to compost.

So glad I did! And just to say, it also explains the small red itchy blisters that have appreared on my finger. Be warned! Michael Cox. Clare - we compost with laurel all the time, usually by shredding it first. I gets hot and breaks down really fast. No problems there. Fresh cut leaves can 'burn' plants they are incontact with, killing grass in under 24 hours in our experience. Don't be afraid of it, just use it sensibly. And if you have a patch of grass to kill off you know what to use!

Peter Ellis. How many people are familiar with the term "anecdotal evidence"? I am curious as to whether anyone can point us to some scientific research on the subject of safely handling and disposing of laurel.

As to notes about how someone has had no problems, but where they use the laurel the weeds and insect pests are way down - mmm - mm- evidence that the stuff is having a negative effect on weeds and insects doesn't ring any sort of alarm bell for you about WHY it is having such an effect? Cyanide gas is less dense than air; so it will rise.

Cyanide is found in various forms in many plant species, including almonds both the nuts and the plant. Most pips contain compounds that will break down into cyanide. Cyanide is found in most smokes, including cigarette smoke. Ultimately, cyanide is an organic compound which will definitely either break down through composting or evaporate into the atmosphere. Yes, when concentrated it can be dangerous so be sensible - If you must chip or shred it make sure you do it on a windy day and don't transport shreddings in a sealed vehicle.

She's out of the country right now, toppling an unauthorized dictatorship. Please leave a message with this tiny ad:. Boost this thread! No-till hay method. Goat Nutrition Management. Cyanide in your Garden. Moderators: jimll , Florence. Post by marlowmole » Wed Jun 25, am. Post by jimll » Wed Jun 25, pm. Post by marlowmole » Thu Jun 26, am. Post by jimll » Thu Jun 26, am.

Post by Ecocentric » Thu Jun 26, am. Post by jimll » Thu Jun 26, pm. Privacy Terms. Helping you live a more sustainable life Skip to content. Quick links. Composting laurel hedge trimmings and leaves The place for talk of organic lettuce and horse manure, of tricks and tips and gardening bits, of trowels and tractors and mud…. Composting laurel hedge trimmings and leaves Post by marlowmole » Wed Jun 25, am We have an area of laurel hedge and it grows very fast.