I put the leaves in a pile in my driveway and set a tarp nearby. My mower shreds the leaves and blows them onto the tarp where I can drag them to the compost area.

Is there an easy way to shred the leaves without special equipment? When I was a kid, I remember my dad adding them to compost pile as-is... they break down pretty quickly, I'd think, because they are so thin. Right?

Jay, ammonium nitrate is a good solution but good luck getting your hands on a quantity of that. I use Urea 46-0-0 . It's packed with Nitrogen and does a great job of breaking down organic matter like leaves and grass clippings. Keep your pile moist, add other items like, coffee grounds, and raw vegetable matter, turn it over frequently and you'll see great results.

Thanks, Joe. Yesterday I ripped out a dozen struggling, old plants from a bed in the front yard and replaced them with a new set better suited, I think for the sun conditions. Anyway, I used my compost for the first time -- a giant bucket, with a good dose in each hole. The crazy thing is that I've been composting for over a year and it's the first time it looked ready enough -- though ironically, it seems to be breaking down quickly and maybe sinking into the ground to feed the fruit ...»

@ Jay B http://www.youtube.com/user/Praxxus55712#p/u...

Thanks, Bonnie... wow, it does't get simpler than that!

I used to use one of those bins where you could load the material on the top and unload the compost on the bottom. Plus the boys loved to "feed the worms." Unfortunately, when I tried to move it- it fell part so now I am back to a pile again.