I too have the problem of cedar roots growing into my
compost piles. By the time the leaves are ready, all their nutrients have already been sucked away by cedars.
I've been cutting back the cedars, although they are nice for privacy.
Even if I leave them in bags, roots get in. I
should place some layers of cardboard underneath. Any other ideas?
I created a 20'x5' raised bed and lined the bottom with polyethylene 5mil sheet to keep cedar roots out. Then I filled it with leaves and waited a year. Grub worms helped the leaves break down. The grubs were 5 inches long and thicker than my thumbs! Curled up they were as wide as my fist! Must be good!
I'm in Leander Tx, so piles tend to dry out. I now plant in that raised bed, so I need a way to
compost more leaves! Maybe I'll layer cardboard, then put bags on top. But then the problem is the sun breaking down the plastic bags into flakes! Any ideas?
My soil is barren limestone hillside. I realized, as long as I can keep an area moist, then anything
organic material will break down rather quickly. It's enough to want to buy a billboard tarp and make a huge "wicking" garden without the gravel!
I wonder if
Biochar would keep leaves moist in the upper layers of the compost?
Roots and dry heat are my obstacles. I mulch with shredded trees to cool the area from reflected sun (the ground is white limestone clay). I also built Ann arbor from cut cedars. It helped. I'll find a
video...