Tip: Save Time With 'Sheet Composting' Simple technique makes
good use of fall leaves "Sheet composting" is an ideal early-
fall technique that makes use of abundant leaves. Remove spent
plants from your garden beds, layer on kitchen scraps, shredded
leaves, rotted straw, grass clippings, and a bit of fertilizer
to supply some nitrogen. Dig or till it in, and by spring you'll
have lots of earthworms and a few un-decomposed chunks. Sheet
composting is also a very good way to reinvigorate a garden with
poor or depleted soil. This fall, pile on a 4-6" layer of
material, sprinkle on some granular organic fertilizer
(something with plenty of nitrogen), till it in, and let it sit
there until spring. You can read more about sheet composting in
The Rodale Book of Composting by Deborah L. Martin and Grace
Gershuny (Rodale Press, 1992).Reader Feedback Here's a note we
received from Sandy in New Lebanon, Ohio: I just read your
article about sheet composting. Here's my method: When I plant
my garden I start with a pack of