Compost walnut leaves?
In contrast to other tree species, the leaves of the walnut are unfortunately only partially suitable for composting. Two important properties are responsible for this:
- Walnut foliage rots only slowly
- Walnut leaves are poisonous in high quantities
also read
- Undermining foliage in the garden- guidance and benefits
- Leaves - the best fertilizer for the garden
- Let leaves lie - when and where does it make sense?
What is slowing down rotting?
The leaves of the walnut tree contain tannins, so-called tannins. These are essential oils that are highly valued in medicine for Composting walnut leaves become a problem.
Note: Have you always wondered why there are hardly any small plants growing under your walnut tree? The tannins are also responsible for this. The rainwater washes the substances out of the leaves and transfers them into the ground. Underplanting a walnut, like conifers, does not grow well.
Which plants not to mulch with walnut?
The tannic acid contained in the following plants can be fatal:
- Summer flowers
- Bulbous plants
- Perennials
If you cannot use the foliage of the walnut because of your plant choice, you will find here helpful information on how to dispose of the leaves.
Alternatives
The separate compost heap
Mixing the walnut foliage with your other compost scraps will slow down the whole decomposition process. Even so, you don't necessarily have to dispose of walnut leaves. However, you should separate the leaves from the rest of the residue on a separate compost heap. There are even many plants that will be happy about acidic compost. This special enrichment is used especially in bog beds. Put the decomposed walnut leaves in the substrate of:
- Hydrangeas
- Heather plants
- rhododendron
- numerous forest plants
