Some years I run all leaves on the lawn over with my lawnmower, then run another path over the now chopped-up leaves and collect them in the bag of my lawnmower. I place those into my three compost bins. Some years I rake them all up and put them in paper bags at the curb. Then it usually takes some time to use up all compost, and then I notice all these roots from neighboring trees in the compost.

I use my compost when planting hostas. With it I use cow manure or mushroom compost, all from nurseries or big box stores. I mix those into the soil when planting. I also add bone meal when I remember it.

I remove all dead hosta leaves and any other debris in late fall. I do not rake tree leaves off the hosta beds, but run the lawnmower in a high setting over all leaves, and by that leave some compost. I would be careful not to leave a thick layer of chopped leaves on hostas because voles would run under that. I read and believe that cleanliness in your landscape will help to limit pests and diseases in hostas.

compost when ever you want ...

but do not fert this late in fall .. for fear of triggering excessive fall growth.. rather than slowing down and hardening off ..

as long as your COMPOST is a fully finished product ... a rather neutral top dressing .. it wouldnt bother me ...

but i would be using any raw poops.. that are high in natural ferts or urea ... causing fall growth ...

the descriptive words you use.. mean little to me ... as to what they actually are .. in regard to what i am talking about...

ken

ps: i ONCE... key word there... got some brand new speed poo .... i swear to God .... applied late spring.. EVERYTHING was 3 times normal size that year ... lol ... it was a jungle out there.. lol ... and that is when i learned the difference between fresh.. and properly composted manure ...

oops, typo Ken,

'I wouldN'T be using any raw poops'

mik said: Sheep poop?

whats my typo?

ken

Ken said, "but i would be using any raw poops.. that are high in natural ferts or urea ... causing fall growth ..."

Sorry, I figured you meant to say:

'but i wouldn't be using'

...

you win my nickle for today .... i would NOT use raw poops.. in fall ...

make a pile to compost for next fall ... ken

ken

I use cow manure from HD or Lowes on and off, but only dig it in during planting. I never use any on the surface. I once bought it from somewhere else, it was probably not composted, applied it on the surface, and have now small very efficient weeds everywhere. I am amazed how nature can create such a weed which is the first one and last one blooming and spreading seeds, anytime from spring to fall.

What would you think of peat moss as a mulch. Would it deter slugs because it is so finely ground?

Sunny, watch out with peat moss. If you simply spread it and leave it, it will harden and rain will not penetrate. If you use it mixed in or remember to 'refresh' it by stirring it up every once in a while it will hold moisture and be a good mulch.

Thanks Jon, do you think it might deter slugs?

What would you think of peat moss as a mulch.

==>>> way too expensive ... and not really a MULCH OR COMPOST... its a soil AMENDMENT ...

i live in a world.. where words mean things ... and all 3 words.. mean different things.. to varying degrees ...

no compost is a slug deterrent ...

ken

Sorry for the incorrect use of words . Think of the peat moss as a top dressing and because of its fine ground condition I was just wondering if it might not be inhospitable to sluggs. The whole point of this is that I spread peat moss on one of my gardens and had not yet worked it into the soil. I got thinking that it might slow down the sluggs. Any thoughts. If not I will mix it in and forget it.

Mix it in Sunny, it's use is mostly to absorb and hold moisture, which it does very well when mixed into the soil. It will break down over time and enrich the soil as well.

Slugs are deterred by anything with sharp or rough edges.

Jon

Think of the peat moss as a top dressing and because of its fine ground condition I was just wondering if it might not be inhospitable to sluggs. The whole point of this is that I spread peat moss on one of my gardens and had not yet worked it into the soil.

Peat moss as a top dressing is not a good idea, it tends to become a mat when going through moisten-drying cycles, besides, it's not anywhere near sharp enough to deter slugs and snails. The same goes for coffee grounds. You may want to try ground egg shells or coarse river sand for a less intensive approach, the better approach is to spray with an ammonia mixture at sunset and be sure to spray UNDER the leavesand make sure the soil is soaked as well. Beer traps work well too if you do not wish to use any form of chemical bait. The best place in the winter for slugs to hide is in leaf litter, so, if you're tempted to use those nice piles of fallen leaves make sure you mulch them very well with the lawn mower.

Pieter