Refined Composting - Locate the bin according to drainage, shade and distance.  Avoid under pine, eucalyptus, laurel, juniper, acacia and walnut trees.  Select your composter – minimum size 1m³.  Build the heap in one go by filling in layers and alternating materials:

Include layers of soil and accelerators such as nettles, comfrey, manure or proprietary brands. Cover the heap as described.  Aim to retain the heat and moisture and exclude rain from leaching nutrients.

The heap may reach a temperature of 65°C.  Turn the heap when it starts to cool to set if off again.  Turn twice more.

Leaf mould – Create a chicken-wire enclosure and stack collected leaves.  If needed, water the layers and stamp them down.  Do not include coniferous material or other organic waste.  Leafmould takes 1-2 years to make; some leaves such as beech take even longer.  4m³ of leaves reduces to 1.5m³ of excellent leafmould for use instead of peat and potting compost; as a clean and attractive mulching material; and, to improve soil texture.