Leaves contain high amounts of woody tissue called lignin; this will slow down the composting process if they are added to a standard compost bin. For this reason, it's much better to compost fallen leaves separately. This may be done simply by storing them in black plastic rubbish bags along with a leaf-mould activator. Leave the bags for a week, and then pierce holes all over the bag with a garden fork and store in a shady place for about a year.

Alternatively, you can make a dedicated leaf-mould bin using chicken wire.

Materials

• 4 x pressure treated timber posts, 50 mm x 50 mm x 1.2 m in length. Tree stakes are good as they come with a pointed end
• roll of galvanised chicken mesh
• metal fencing staples
• an old piece of carpet or black plastic

Method

1. Hammer two posts into the ground, spaced a metre apart to form the back of the bin.
2. Hammer the front posts into the ground, making the tops level with the back ones.
3. Position the chicken wire along the front post, securing it with fencing staples.
4. Run the wire to the back post, stretching it tight around the post, again securing it with fencing staples.
5. Repeat this procedure around the next two posts, creating a three sided bin, open at the front.
6. Place the leaves in the bin, spreading each layer evenly. Sycamore, horse chestnut, sweet chestnut, conifer and evergreen leaves tend to take a long time to rot down and are best shredded before being added to your heap. Avoid using holly leaves as they do not tend to rot successfully.
7. Spread a layer of old container compost or garden soil between each layer. You may also add a leaf-mould activator.
8. Cover the top of the pile with a piece of old carpet or black plastic, weighted down with stones or bricks.
9. After two years, the resulting compost can be used as a garden compost or may be sieved to make your own potting compost.